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- Air-activated Gear Cutter, Used by the Waltham Watch Company, circa 1895 - The Waltham Watch Company was a world-famous example of a highly mechanized manufacturer of quality consumer goods. Specialized labor, new machines, and interchangeable parts combined to create the company's low-cost, high-grade watches. Duane Church, Waltham's superintendent of toolmakers, developed precision watchmaking machinery that produced interchangeable parts without the aid of gauges and templates. Church invented this gear cutter in the early 1890s.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Air-activated Gear Cutter, Used by the Waltham Watch Company, circa 1895
The Waltham Watch Company was a world-famous example of a highly mechanized manufacturer of quality consumer goods. Specialized labor, new machines, and interchangeable parts combined to create the company's low-cost, high-grade watches. Duane Church, Waltham's superintendent of toolmakers, developed precision watchmaking machinery that produced interchangeable parts without the aid of gauges and templates. Church invented this gear cutter in the early 1890s.
- Screw Slotting Machine, circa 1850 - Rooted in a tension between human dexterity and dictated speed, this modest machine offers insight into both the possibilities and potential drudgery of volume production methods. While operation was simple (screw blanks, inserted by hand into the holes in the rotating drum, passed beneath spinning saw blades; slotted screws fell out into a waiting bin) it was also monotonously repetitive.
- circa 1850
- Collections - Artifact
Screw Slotting Machine, circa 1850
Rooted in a tension between human dexterity and dictated speed, this modest machine offers insight into both the possibilities and potential drudgery of volume production methods. While operation was simple (screw blanks, inserted by hand into the holes in the rotating drum, passed beneath spinning saw blades; slotted screws fell out into a waiting bin) it was also monotonously repetitive.
- Maudslay Production Lathe, circa 1800 - The work of Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) is fundamental to the development of industrial precision. This is the oldest industrial capacity precision machine tool in the world. Capable of machining to an accuracy of several thousandths of an inch, it enabled Maudslay's company to manufacture tools and engines to unprecedented standards -- and set the stage for even higher levels of precision.
- circa 1800
- Collections - Artifact
Maudslay Production Lathe, circa 1800
The work of Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) is fundamental to the development of industrial precision. This is the oldest industrial capacity precision machine tool in the world. Capable of machining to an accuracy of several thousandths of an inch, it enabled Maudslay's company to manufacture tools and engines to unprecedented standards -- and set the stage for even higher levels of precision.
- Cutting Fabric at Ford Village Industries Plant, Clarkston, Michigan, 1945 - Henry Ford began setting up small-scale factories in towns throughout southeast Michigan in the 1920s. These "Village Industries" -- usually located at the site of an old mill -- employed local residents and supplied parts, tools and equipment for Ford's massive industrial operations. The factory in Clarkston, which opened in 1942, supplied Ford with seat covers, drill bushings and other material.
- September 04, 1945
- Collections - Artifact
Cutting Fabric at Ford Village Industries Plant, Clarkston, Michigan, 1945
Henry Ford began setting up small-scale factories in towns throughout southeast Michigan in the 1920s. These "Village Industries" -- usually located at the site of an old mill -- employed local residents and supplied parts, tools and equipment for Ford's massive industrial operations. The factory in Clarkston, which opened in 1942, supplied Ford with seat covers, drill bushings and other material.
- Screw Machines at the Fort Wayne Electrical Corporation, circa 1894 - Established in 1881, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation manufactured arc lamps, dynamos, and other lighting and electrical equipment. By 1894, the company had survived financial difficulties, a corporate reorganization, and a recent name change. Aided by well-respected electricians, engineers, and inventors, the Indiana company expanded and increased its production efforts. This photograph shows the belt-driven machinery located inside its factory.
- circa 1894
- Collections - Artifact
Screw Machines at the Fort Wayne Electrical Corporation, circa 1894
Established in 1881, the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation manufactured arc lamps, dynamos, and other lighting and electrical equipment. By 1894, the company had survived financial difficulties, a corporate reorganization, and a recent name change. Aided by well-respected electricians, engineers, and inventors, the Indiana company expanded and increased its production efforts. This photograph shows the belt-driven machinery located inside its factory.
- Celluloid Tube Cutting Machine -
- Collections - Artifact
Celluloid Tube Cutting Machine
- Lathe, Used by the Wright Brothers, circa 1895 - The Wright brothers' bicycle shop contained several large power tools primarily used for making and repairing bikes. Some were also used to build their early gliders and airplanes. The shop building did not have electricity, so the Putnam lathe, Crescent band saw and Barnes drill press were powered by overhead belts and shafts connected to a single-cylinder gas engine.
- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Lathe, Used by the Wright Brothers, circa 1895
The Wright brothers' bicycle shop contained several large power tools primarily used for making and repairing bikes. Some were also used to build their early gliders and airplanes. The shop building did not have electricity, so the Putnam lathe, Crescent band saw and Barnes drill press were powered by overhead belts and shafts connected to a single-cylinder gas engine.
- Gear Cutter, circa 1850 -
- circa 1850
- Collections - Artifact
Gear Cutter, circa 1850
- Maudslay Gear Cutter Machine, Used at Maudslay, Sons and Field, circa 1850 -
- circa 1850
- Collections - Artifact
Maudslay Gear Cutter Machine, Used at Maudslay, Sons and Field, circa 1850