Celebrating 90 -- Collecting through the Decades: 2010s

This rare early spinning frame was part of a landmark acquisition--perhaps the largest since Henry Ford's time! In 2016, the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts closed its doors and began to transfer their collections to other organizations. The Henry Ford was among them--able to provide a home for many thousands of textile-related objects dating from the 18th to 21st centuries. -Jeanine Head Miller, Curator of Domestic Life

In 2013, The Henry Ford acquired an Apple 1 computer--one of the first fifty ever made, and fully operational. This artifact demonstrates The Henry Ford's commitment to collecting the hardware, software, and the ephemeral culture that powers the digital age. -Kristen Gallerneaux, Curator of Communication & Information Technology

Industrial designer Robert Propst is best known for his work with Herman Miller and for designing the “Action Office,” an office furnishing system which became the basis for the modern cubicle. Propst’s papers cover the design and business aspects of “Action Office” as well many of his other projects such as hotel housekeeping carts, an industrial timber harvester, and even playground equipment. -Brian Wilson, Sr. Manager, Archives and Library

Concerns about food sourcing makes James Ashley's box-making machine of present-day interest. Ashley patented this jig to make standard-size egg-shipping containers in 1896. It held 12 flats of 30 eggs each, six on each side, for a total of 360 eggs in one box. Farmers sent fresh eggs to city markets using boxes made with this machine. -Debra Reid, Curator of Agriculture and the Environment

La-Z-Boy is a story of technological innovation, marketing, and sales savvy. Two cousins created the first chair in the late 1920s but didn’t gain acclaim until the 1960s with the Reclina Rocker, which combined a built-in ottoman with a rocking feature. Multi-faceted promotional strategies, including celebrity endorsements, caught the eye of middle-class Americans. -Charles Sable, Curator of Decorative Arts

Self-driving cars promise to reduce accidents, ease traffic, cut pollution, and improve mobility. They also promise to bring the most significant change in our relationship with the automobile since Henry Ford introduced the Model T. This experimental vehicle represents General Motors' first major step toward our autonomous future--and The Henry Ford's first major step to document the journey. -Matt Anderson, Curator of Transportation

Designer Ruth Adler Schnee's modern textiles are bold, colorful, and pushed the mid-20th century modern design movement forward. She drew inspiration from the world around her, the ordinary as well as the extraordinary. The Henry Ford's acquisition of her textiles in 2000 and in 2018 speak to her continued relevance to our collection--as a modern design pioneer, a female entrepreneur, and a Jewish immigrant. -Katherine White, Associate Curator