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- Bakelite, “The Material of a Thousand Uses” - When Leo Baekeland finally succeeded in developing the first chemically synthetic plastic in 1907, he knew he'd created a versatile material with broad appeal. Indeed, "Bakelite" proved suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Touted as "the material of a thousand uses," Bakelite became a household name and helped usher in the age of plastics.
- July 08, 2022
- Collections - Set
Bakelite, “The Material of a Thousand Uses”
When Leo Baekeland finally succeeded in developing the first chemically synthetic plastic in 1907, he knew he'd created a versatile material with broad appeal. Indeed, "Bakelite" proved suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Touted as "the material of a thousand uses," Bakelite became a household name and helped usher in the age of plastics.
- Bakelite: The "Material of a Thousand Uses" - Learn the history of Bakelite, the first truly synthetic plastic, and the conservation issues it poses for artifacts.
- October 15, 2015
- Collections - article
Bakelite: The "Material of a Thousand Uses"
Learn the history of Bakelite, the first truly synthetic plastic, and the conservation issues it poses for artifacts.
- Portrait of Leo Adler, Wisconsin, 1860 - The daguerreotype, popular in the early 1840s-late 1850s, was the first form of photography available to the public. Sheets of silver-plated copper--polished to a mirror finish--were bathed in photosensitive vapors, and exposed in cameras. In formal studios and traveling booths, photographers created affordable portraits. For the first time, people saw their likenesses--fixed permanently in time and place.
- 1860
- Collections - Artifact
Portrait of Leo Adler, Wisconsin, 1860
The daguerreotype, popular in the early 1840s-late 1850s, was the first form of photography available to the public. Sheets of silver-plated copper--polished to a mirror finish--were bathed in photosensitive vapors, and exposed in cameras. In formal studios and traveling booths, photographers created affordable portraits. For the first time, people saw their likenesses--fixed permanently in time and place.
- Hendrik Van Loon's Wide World Game, circa 1933 - Inspired by historian and journalist Hendrik van Loon's 1921 Newberry Award-winning book, "The Story of Mankind," this 1930s game featured a stylized map of the world. The object of the game was to complete a trip from San Francisco to Manila, Philippines via dice rolls and game cards. Players moved metal airplanes and steamships between the two locations.
- circa 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Hendrik Van Loon's Wide World Game, circa 1933
Inspired by historian and journalist Hendrik van Loon's 1921 Newberry Award-winning book, "The Story of Mankind," this 1930s game featured a stylized map of the world. The object of the game was to complete a trip from San Francisco to Manila, Philippines via dice rolls and game cards. Players moved metal airplanes and steamships between the two locations.
- "Mona-Leo" by Lillian F. Schwartz, 1988 - Lillian Schwartz is a pioneer of computer-generated art. From 1969-2002, she was a "resident visitor" at Bell Laboratories, producing groundbreaking films, videos, and multimedia works. The Schwartz Collection spans Lillian's childhood into her late career, documenting an expansive mindset, mastery over traditional and experimental mediums alike--and above all--an ability to create inspirational connections between science, art, and technology.
- 1988
- Collections - Artifact
"Mona-Leo" by Lillian F. Schwartz, 1988
Lillian Schwartz is a pioneer of computer-generated art. From 1969-2002, she was a "resident visitor" at Bell Laboratories, producing groundbreaking films, videos, and multimedia works. The Schwartz Collection spans Lillian's childhood into her late career, documenting an expansive mindset, mastery over traditional and experimental mediums alike--and above all--an ability to create inspirational connections between science, art, and technology.
- "Mona-Leo" by Lillian F. Schwartz, 1995 - Lillian Schwartz is a pioneer of computer-generated art. From 1969-2002, she was a "resident visitor" at Bell Laboratories, producing groundbreaking films, videos, and multimedia works. The Schwartz Collection spans Lillian's childhood into her late career, documenting an expansive mindset, mastery over traditional and experimental mediums alike--and above all--an ability to create inspirational connections between science, art, and technology.
- 1995
- Collections - Artifact
"Mona-Leo" by Lillian F. Schwartz, 1995
Lillian Schwartz is a pioneer of computer-generated art. From 1969-2002, she was a "resident visitor" at Bell Laboratories, producing groundbreaking films, videos, and multimedia works. The Schwartz Collection spans Lillian's childhood into her late career, documenting an expansive mindset, mastery over traditional and experimental mediums alike--and above all--an ability to create inspirational connections between science, art, and technology.
- Leo Goossen - Learn the story of Leo Goossen — automotive draftsman, engineer, and one of the most influential engine designers in American auto racing — in this installment of our History Outside the Box program.
- November 21, 2022
- Collections - article
Leo Goossen
Learn the story of Leo Goossen — automotive draftsman, engineer, and one of the most influential engine designers in American auto racing — in this installment of our History Outside the Box program.
- Leo Beebe at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans - Leo Beebe, seen here at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, supervised Ford Motor Company's ambitious racing efforts in the 1960s. While Beebe wasn't a motorsports fan -- he'd never seen an auto race until he took the job -- he was an exceptional manager. Under his leadership, Ford's racing program won victories at Daytona, Indianapolis and Le Mans.
- June 01, 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Leo Beebe at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans
Leo Beebe, seen here at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, supervised Ford Motor Company's ambitious racing efforts in the 1960s. While Beebe wasn't a motorsports fan -- he'd never seen an auto race until he took the job -- he was an exceptional manager. Under his leadership, Ford's racing program won victories at Daytona, Indianapolis and Le Mans.
- Leo Zaleski at Camp Cusino, Shingleton, Michigan, January 20, 1937 -
- January 20, 1937
- Collections - Artifact
Leo Zaleski at Camp Cusino, Shingleton, Michigan, January 20, 1937
- Set of "Pracision" Drafting Tools, Used by Leo Goossen, 1925-1941 - Leo Goossen ranks among the most influential engine designers in American auto racing history. Goossen engines, built first with Harry Miller and then with Fred Offenhauser, dominated the Indianapolis 500 for the better part of 50 years. Goossen used these drafting tools while creating or refining many of his designs.
- 1925-1945
- Collections - Artifact
Set of "Pracision" Drafting Tools, Used by Leo Goossen, 1925-1941
Leo Goossen ranks among the most influential engine designers in American auto racing history. Goossen engines, built first with Harry Miller and then with Fred Offenhauser, dominated the Indianapolis 500 for the better part of 50 years. Goossen used these drafting tools while creating or refining many of his designs.