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- "Eagle Bank" Mechanical Bank, 1883-1910 - Saving money can be fun. Beginning in the late 1800s, families could purchase banks that used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money. This mechanical bank has an eagle that looks as if it is feeding its young. Place a coin in the eagle's mouth and depress the lever; the eagle will lurch forward and deposit the coin.
- 1883-1910
- Collections - Artifact
"Eagle Bank" Mechanical Bank, 1883-1910
Saving money can be fun. Beginning in the late 1800s, families could purchase banks that used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money. This mechanical bank has an eagle that looks as if it is feeding its young. Place a coin in the eagle's mouth and depress the lever; the eagle will lurch forward and deposit the coin.
- "Unisphere" Mechanical Bank, circa 1964 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. An earlier version of this mechanical bank had the rocket topped with the moon. This later version depicts the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Unisphere--a symbol of global interdependence in the space age.
- circa 1964
- Collections - Artifact
"Unisphere" Mechanical Bank, circa 1964
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. An earlier version of this mechanical bank had the rocket topped with the moon. This later version depicts the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Unisphere--a symbol of global interdependence in the space age.
- "Tammany" Mechanical Bank, circa 1875 - This bank caricatures a typical corrupt politician of New York City's Tammany Hall, the seat of the city's Democratic Party at the time, nodding in appreciation with each coin deposited. The J. & E. Stevens Company, founded in 1843, began producing banks in 1869 and their line became the largest in the world during the 1870s and 1880s.
- circa 1875
- Collections - Artifact
"Tammany" Mechanical Bank, circa 1875
This bank caricatures a typical corrupt politician of New York City's Tammany Hall, the seat of the city's Democratic Party at the time, nodding in appreciation with each coin deposited. The J. & E. Stevens Company, founded in 1843, began producing banks in 1869 and their line became the largest in the world during the 1870s and 1880s.
- "Destination-Moon" Mechanical Bank, 1962 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. This mechanical bank commemorates astronaut John Glenn orbiting the Earth in 1962. The rocket resembles spaceships of the time and is topped by the moon--America's ultimate goal in the 1960s.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
"Destination-Moon" Mechanical Bank, 1962
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. This mechanical bank commemorates astronaut John Glenn orbiting the Earth in 1962. The rocket resembles spaceships of the time and is topped by the moon--America's ultimate goal in the 1960s.
- "Punch and Judy Bank" Mechanical Bank, 1884-1895 - Punch and Judy puppet shows -- portable and easy to stage on a street corner, in a park, or as part of a traveling circus -- attracted Americans of all ages during the 1800s. "Bad boy" Punch always managed to get away with mischief -- much to the delight of his audience. Punch & Judy even inspired toy versions of themselves.
- 1884-1895
- Collections - Artifact
"Punch and Judy Bank" Mechanical Bank, 1884-1895
Punch and Judy puppet shows -- portable and easy to stage on a street corner, in a park, or as part of a traveling circus -- attracted Americans of all ages during the 1800s. "Bad boy" Punch always managed to get away with mischief -- much to the delight of his audience. Punch & Judy even inspired toy versions of themselves.
- Owl Mechanical Bank, 1880-1920 - Banks with ingenious mechanisms made saving fun and were perfect gifts for children whose parents wanted to promote thrift. These mechanical banks could have intricate movements or simple ones. This owl bank is simple. Place the coin in the tree near the owl's head and activate a lever; the owl's head turns and the coin disappears.
- 1880-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Owl Mechanical Bank, 1880-1920
Banks with ingenious mechanisms made saving fun and were perfect gifts for children whose parents wanted to promote thrift. These mechanical banks could have intricate movements or simple ones. This owl bank is simple. Place the coin in the tree near the owl's head and activate a lever; the owl's head turns and the coin disappears.
- "William Tell" Mechanical Bank, 1896-1930 - When William Tell's right foot is pressed, the coin shoots into the castle, knocking the apple off the boy's head. The bank is based on the legendary story of the Swiss patriot who was ordered to shoot an apple off his small son's head.
- 1896-1930
- Collections - Artifact
"William Tell" Mechanical Bank, 1896-1930
When William Tell's right foot is pressed, the coin shoots into the castle, knocking the apple off the boy's head. The bank is based on the legendary story of the Swiss patriot who was ordered to shoot an apple off his small son's head.
- "Kicking Cow" Mechanical Bank, 1888-1900 - Saving money can be fun. Beginning in the late 1800s, families could purchase mechanical banks. These banks used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money. This bank depicts a man milking a cow. When the saver deposits a coin, the cow kicks -- a real hazard if the animal was treated roughly -- and the man tumbles backwards.
- 1888-1900
- Collections - Artifact
"Kicking Cow" Mechanical Bank, 1888-1900
Saving money can be fun. Beginning in the late 1800s, families could purchase mechanical banks. These banks used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money. This bank depicts a man milking a cow. When the saver deposits a coin, the cow kicks -- a real hazard if the animal was treated roughly -- and the man tumbles backwards.
- "Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900 - Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
- 1886-1900
- Collections - Artifact
"Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
- Mechanical Bank, "Bad Accident," 1891-1911 - During the last quarter of the 1800s, America witnessed one of the worst eras of discrimination against African Americans. Degrading images -- like those portrayed in this bank -- were intended to convince white people that African Americans were inferior, second-class citizens. African-American leaders continually challenged these stereotypes and sought changes to the status quo.
- 1891-1911
- Collections - Artifact
Mechanical Bank, "Bad Accident," 1891-1911
During the last quarter of the 1800s, America witnessed one of the worst eras of discrimination against African Americans. Degrading images -- like those portrayed in this bank -- were intended to convince white people that African Americans were inferior, second-class citizens. African-American leaders continually challenged these stereotypes and sought changes to the status quo.