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- Aerial View of Washington, D.C., circa 1924 - Sherman Fairchild worked to advance aerial photographic technology during World War I. After the war, he founded an influential commercial aerial survey company. A savvy promoter, Fairchild touted the value of aerial views for urban planning. Several major cities commissioned him to produce images like this one taken over Washington, D.C. Fairchild's photographs remain important documents of 20th-century patterns of urbanization.
- circa 1924
- Collections - Artifact
Aerial View of Washington, D.C., circa 1924
Sherman Fairchild worked to advance aerial photographic technology during World War I. After the war, he founded an influential commercial aerial survey company. A savvy promoter, Fairchild touted the value of aerial views for urban planning. Several major cities commissioned him to produce images like this one taken over Washington, D.C. Fairchild's photographs remain important documents of 20th-century patterns of urbanization.
- St. Clair Bicycle Made by the Wright Brothers, 1897-1901 - After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.
- 1897-1901
- Collections - Artifact
St. Clair Bicycle Made by the Wright Brothers, 1897-1901
After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.
- Super Service Station, Nolan Motor Company, Washington, DC, August 1934 - In the 1930s, Ford Motor Company promoted the "Super Service Station" concept for its franchisee dealers. These stations provided one-stop shopping for motorists by selling gasoline, motor oil, parts, and accessories along with new Ford vehicles. The stations also provided automotive service and repairs.
- August 27, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Super Service Station, Nolan Motor Company, Washington, DC, August 1934
In the 1930s, Ford Motor Company promoted the "Super Service Station" concept for its franchisee dealers. These stations provided one-stop shopping for motorists by selling gasoline, motor oil, parts, and accessories along with new Ford vehicles. The stations also provided automotive service and repairs.
- Trade Card for Furniture and Carpet Store, Rudden's Instalment House, 1870-1900 - In the last third of the nineteenth century, an unprecedented variety of consumer goods and services flooded the American market. Advertisers, armed with new methods of color printing, bombarded potential customers with trade cards. Americans enjoyed and often saved the vibrant little advertisements found in product packages or distributed by local merchants. Many survive as historical records of commercialism in the United States.
- 1870-1900
- Collections - Artifact
Trade Card for Furniture and Carpet Store, Rudden's Instalment House, 1870-1900
In the last third of the nineteenth century, an unprecedented variety of consumer goods and services flooded the American market. Advertisers, armed with new methods of color printing, bombarded potential customers with trade cards. Americans enjoyed and often saved the vibrant little advertisements found in product packages or distributed by local merchants. Many survive as historical records of commercialism in the United States.
- John F. Kennedy Inaugural Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, January 20, 1961 - After John F. Kennedy was sworn in on the steps of the Capitol (whose dome looms in the background), he and his wife Jacqueline traveled up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House in the official inaugural parade. The new president and first lady are in the lead car, the 1950 Lincoln that had served presidents Truman and Eisenhower.
- January 20, 1961
- Collections - Artifact
John F. Kennedy Inaugural Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, January 20, 1961
After John F. Kennedy was sworn in on the steps of the Capitol (whose dome looms in the background), he and his wife Jacqueline traveled up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House in the official inaugural parade. The new president and first lady are in the lead car, the 1950 Lincoln that had served presidents Truman and Eisenhower.
- "Greetings from Washington D.C." -
- Collections - Artifact
"Greetings from Washington D.C."
- Button, "Washington DC, April 24-May 5 Come to Stay," 1971 -
- 1971
- Collections - Artifact
Button, "Washington DC, April 24-May 5 Come to Stay," 1971
- "Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C." - During the 1909 centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, Congress found itself in the embarrassing position of lacking plans to honor Lincoln in the nation's capital. In 1911, a Commission was formed to create an appropriate tribute. The resulting Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922, idealizes Lincoln's memory in a Greek-temple-like structure that symbolizes the democratic principles for which Lincoln stood.
- 1922-1925
- Collections - Artifact
"Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C."
During the 1909 centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, Congress found itself in the embarrassing position of lacking plans to honor Lincoln in the nation's capital. In 1911, a Commission was formed to create an appropriate tribute. The resulting Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922, idealizes Lincoln's memory in a Greek-temple-like structure that symbolizes the democratic principles for which Lincoln stood.
- "Washington City from Potomac Park, Washington, D.C." -
- Collections - Artifact
"Washington City from Potomac Park, Washington, D.C."
- Pennant, "Washington D.C.," 1940-1965 - Travelers often return home with souvenirs that serve as tangible reminders of places visited. Felt pennants were a popular choice of vacationing Americans in the mid-1900s. This example from Washington, D.C., depicts the U.S. Capitol building.
- 1940-1965
- Collections - Artifact
Pennant, "Washington D.C.," 1940-1965
Travelers often return home with souvenirs that serve as tangible reminders of places visited. Felt pennants were a popular choice of vacationing Americans in the mid-1900s. This example from Washington, D.C., depicts the U.S. Capitol building.