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- Office of H. R. Waddell in the Ford Engineering Laboratory, September 1952 - In 1923, H.R. Waddell joined the mailing department at Dearborn Publishing Company -- one of Henry Ford's many businesses outside Ford Motor Company. The next year, he was transferred to the Office of Henry Ford, where he was given secretarial duties. Mr. Waddell's responsibilities increased over time. This photo shows his office in the Ford Engineering Laboratory.

- September 17, 1952
- Collections - Artifact
Office of H. R. Waddell in the Ford Engineering Laboratory, September 1952
In 1923, H.R. Waddell joined the mailing department at Dearborn Publishing Company -- one of Henry Ford's many businesses outside Ford Motor Company. The next year, he was transferred to the Office of Henry Ford, where he was given secretarial duties. Mr. Waddell's responsibilities increased over time. This photo shows his office in the Ford Engineering Laboratory.
- Doll Desk and Chair, 1915-1921 -

- 1915-1921
- Collections - Artifact
Doll Desk and Chair, 1915-1921
- Thomas Edison at His Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, 1898 - This photograph shows inventor Thomas Alva Edison at work in his West Orange, New Jersey, laboratory. Edison directed teams of research assistants here for nearly fifty years -- from 1887 until his death in 1931. More than half of Edison's 1,093 patents resulted from the collaborative work done in this complex, which became a model for modern research and development laboratories.

- November 05, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Edison at His Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, 1898
This photograph shows inventor Thomas Alva Edison at work in his West Orange, New Jersey, laboratory. Edison directed teams of research assistants here for nearly fifty years -- from 1887 until his death in 1931. More than half of Edison's 1,093 patents resulted from the collaborative work done in this complex, which became a model for modern research and development laboratories.
- "Lying Down On The Job," Herman Miller Advertisement, March-April 1956 -

- 10 March 1956-07 April 1956
- Collections - Artifact
"Lying Down On The Job," Herman Miller Advertisement, March-April 1956
- Action Office Stand-up Desk, Used by D. J. DePree, 1964 - Action Office, conceptualized by Robert Propst with final design by George Nelson, was rooted in Propst's research into office function and worker behavior. The system was not a commercial success: manufacturing costs were high, and it was, in Propst's words, "too showy and bright for serious consideration as a middle management tool." Propst went on to design the hugely successful Action Office 2 cubicle-based system.

- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Action Office Stand-up Desk, Used by D. J. DePree, 1964
Action Office, conceptualized by Robert Propst with final design by George Nelson, was rooted in Propst's research into office function and worker behavior. The system was not a commercial success: manufacturing costs were high, and it was, in Propst's words, "too showy and bright for serious consideration as a middle management tool." Propst went on to design the hugely successful Action Office 2 cubicle-based system.
- School Desk, Used at the Shrine of the Little Flower Grade School, 1940-1949 - This type of desk became the standard for both public and private elementary schools after World War II. Students were responsible for supplying and organizing their school supplies, which were stored under the hinged desk top. These desks continued to be used in classrooms even after dip pens and ink bottles were replaced by cartridge pens and, eventually, ballpoint pens.

- 1940-1949
- Collections - Artifact
School Desk, Used at the Shrine of the Little Flower Grade School, 1940-1949
This type of desk became the standard for both public and private elementary schools after World War II. Students were responsible for supplying and organizing their school supplies, which were stored under the hinged desk top. These desks continued to be used in classrooms even after dip pens and ink bottles were replaced by cartridge pens and, eventually, ballpoint pens.
- A Nun and Her Students in a Classroom at St. Hedwig School, South Bend, Indiana, 1950 -

- 1950
- Collections - Artifact
A Nun and Her Students in a Classroom at St. Hedwig School, South Bend, Indiana, 1950
- Secretary Desk, circa 1870 - Secretary desks are offices and work spaces. They provide a writing surface, storage space and book shelves. But some are much more -- they are symbols of the owner's education, wealth and social status. James Latta -- a Harvard graduate, successful businessman and special commissioner to the 1873 Vienna Exposition -- had this imposing piece of furniture made for his home in Washington, D.C.

- circa 1870
- Collections - Artifact
Secretary Desk, circa 1870
Secretary desks are offices and work spaces. They provide a writing surface, storage space and book shelves. But some are much more -- they are symbols of the owner's education, wealth and social status. James Latta -- a Harvard graduate, successful businessman and special commissioner to the 1873 Vienna Exposition -- had this imposing piece of furniture made for his home in Washington, D.C.
- Thomas Edison with an "Ediphone" Dictation Machine at His Desk in the West Orange Laboratory, 1911 -

- November 20, 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Edison with an "Ediphone" Dictation Machine at His Desk in the West Orange Laboratory, 1911
- Henry Ford in His Office at the Piquette Avenue Plant, circa 1908 - Henry Ford strikes a regal pose in his office at Ford Motor Company's Piquette Avenue Plant around 1908. Ford was probably working on the design of the new Model T at this time. Henry's offices were always neat and tidy because Henry was rarely in them. He spent most of his time out in the factory.

- circa 1908
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford in His Office at the Piquette Avenue Plant, circa 1908
Henry Ford strikes a regal pose in his office at Ford Motor Company's Piquette Avenue Plant around 1908. Ford was probably working on the design of the new Model T at this time. Henry's offices were always neat and tidy because Henry was rarely in them. He spent most of his time out in the factory.