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- Beginner's Slide Rule 4058W with Case Used by Victor Wouk, circa 1939. On Loan Courtesy of the Institute Archives, California Institute of Technology. - Victor Wouk used this slide rule in the 1930s and 1940s. Wouk became an electrical engineer and in the 1970s created a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Wouk advocated the hybrid concept and inspired other engineers to further hybrid development.
- circa 1939
- Collections - Artifact
Beginner's Slide Rule 4058W with Case Used by Victor Wouk, circa 1939. On Loan Courtesy of the Institute Archives, California Institute of Technology.
Victor Wouk used this slide rule in the 1930s and 1940s. Wouk became an electrical engineer and in the 1970s created a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. Wouk advocated the hybrid concept and inspired other engineers to further hybrid development.
- Glow Plug, 1975-1985 - Diesel engines use highly compressed hot air to ignite fuel. In cold weather, this compression process may not heat the air sufficiently to ignite the fuel and start the engine. A glow plug helps raise the combustion chamber's air temperature. The glow plug seen here is from a 1980s Mercedes.
- 1975-1985
- Collections - Artifact
Glow Plug, 1975-1985
Diesel engines use highly compressed hot air to ignite fuel. In cold weather, this compression process may not heat the air sufficiently to ignite the fuel and start the engine. A glow plug helps raise the combustion chamber's air temperature. The glow plug seen here is from a 1980s Mercedes.
- Electric Motor Control Module for Honda Insight Automobile, 2000-2001 - Early hybrid cars relied on the driver to manually switch from one power source to the other. Modern hybrids use computers to manage power. This circuit board was the brains of a 2000 Honda Insight hybrid. It sent signals that controlled how much electric-motor power was added to the internal-combustion-engine output.
- 2000-2001
- Collections - Artifact
Electric Motor Control Module for Honda Insight Automobile, 2000-2001
Early hybrid cars relied on the driver to manually switch from one power source to the other. Modern hybrids use computers to manage power. This circuit board was the brains of a 2000 Honda Insight hybrid. It sent signals that controlled how much electric-motor power was added to the internal-combustion-engine output.
- Zipcar "Zipcard" Key Card, 2010 - In the 2000s, a growing understanding of the inconveniences and hardships of owning a car--cost, parking, environmental effects and effects on city design--made car rejection popular. These attitudes, combined with new technologies, made new industries like carshares viable. This card, when waved over a windshield-mounted radio transceiver, unlocks cars in the popular Zipcar carsharing program.
- 2010
- Collections - Artifact
Zipcar "Zipcard" Key Card, 2010
In the 2000s, a growing understanding of the inconveniences and hardships of owning a car--cost, parking, environmental effects and effects on city design--made car rejection popular. These attitudes, combined with new technologies, made new industries like carshares viable. This card, when waved over a windshield-mounted radio transceiver, unlocks cars in the popular Zipcar carsharing program.
- Bay West Wash-Up Kit, circa 1925 - Traveling doesn't mean that you shouldn't be clean. This 1920s "wash-up kit" provided tourists, campers, hikers, picnickers, and motorists a quick and easy way to get clean. The kit includes soap in the form a paper sheet and paper towels. No need to carry a bar of soap and bath towels when you have this novel product in your automobile.
- circa 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Bay West Wash-Up Kit, circa 1925
Traveling doesn't mean that you shouldn't be clean. This 1920s "wash-up kit" provided tourists, campers, hikers, picnickers, and motorists a quick and easy way to get clean. The kit includes soap in the form a paper sheet and paper towels. No need to carry a bar of soap and bath towels when you have this novel product in your automobile.
- Wall Telephone with Blake Transmitter, 1882 -
- 1882
- Collections - Artifact
Wall Telephone with Blake Transmitter, 1882
- Souvenir Card from IBM Pavilion at the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair, "News Event Reported in the New York Times November 30, 1960" -
- June 14, 1965
- Collections - Artifact
Souvenir Card from IBM Pavilion at the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair, "News Event Reported in the New York Times November 30, 1960"
- Madonna "True Blue" Compact Disc, 1986 - Introduced in the 1980s, compact disc players provided digital quality music to listeners. Many drivers, who had fumbled through 8-track and cassette tape playlists, wanted to have this new technology available in their cars. At first available on high-end luxury vehicles, CD players now can be found in most cars. This CD by Madonna was released in 1986.
- 1986
- Collections - Artifact
Madonna "True Blue" Compact Disc, 1986
Introduced in the 1980s, compact disc players provided digital quality music to listeners. Many drivers, who had fumbled through 8-track and cassette tape playlists, wanted to have this new technology available in their cars. At first available on high-end luxury vehicles, CD players now can be found in most cars. This CD by Madonna was released in 1986.
- Australian and Detroit Women's Hockey Team at the Ford Rouge Plant Administration Building, October 1936 -
- October 15, 1936
- Collections - Artifact
Australian and Detroit Women's Hockey Team at the Ford Rouge Plant Administration Building, October 1936
- Swatch Watch, 1984 - In the 1980s, adolescent and teen consumers across the world became attracted to a new type of watch called the "Swatch." First-marketed in the U.S. in 1983 the Swatch helped reestablish the Swiss as the world's major watchmaker. This watch was introduced as Generation X began to mature and acquire personal accessories. Swatch watches proliferated because of their aesthetic appeal rather than their functionality.
- 1984
- Collections - Artifact
Swatch Watch, 1984
In the 1980s, adolescent and teen consumers across the world became attracted to a new type of watch called the "Swatch." First-marketed in the U.S. in 1983 the Swatch helped reestablish the Swiss as the world's major watchmaker. This watch was introduced as Generation X began to mature and acquire personal accessories. Swatch watches proliferated because of their aesthetic appeal rather than their functionality.