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- Kicking Cow Bank, 1950-1965 - Saving money can be fun. Beginning in the late 1800s, families could purchase mechanical banks. These banks used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money. This mid-twentieth-century reproduction depicts a man milking a cow. When the saver deposits a coin, the cow kicks -- a real hazard if the animal was treated roughly -- and the man tumbles backwards.
- 1950-1965
- Collections - Artifact
Kicking Cow Bank, 1950-1965
Saving money can be fun. Beginning in the late 1800s, families could purchase mechanical banks. These banks used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money. This mid-twentieth-century reproduction depicts a man milking a cow. When the saver deposits a coin, the cow kicks -- a real hazard if the animal was treated roughly -- and the man tumbles backwards.
- "Unisphere" Mechanical Bank, circa 1964 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. An earlier version of this mechanical bank had the rocket topped with the moon. This later version depicts the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Unisphere--a symbol of global interdependence in the space age.
- circa 1964
- Collections - Artifact
"Unisphere" Mechanical Bank, circa 1964
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. An earlier version of this mechanical bank had the rocket topped with the moon. This later version depicts the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Unisphere--a symbol of global interdependence in the space age.
- Magician Bank, 1901-1920 - Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms, such as this magician. When the lever on the step is depressed, a coin placed on the table "disappears" under the table while the magician lowers his hat over the coin and nods his head.
- 1901-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Magician Bank, 1901-1920
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms, such as this magician. When the lever on the step is depressed, a coin placed on the table "disappears" under the table while the magician lowers his hat over the coin and nods his head.
- "Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900 - Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
- 1886-1900
- Collections - Artifact
"Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
- "Rocket Bank," circa 1951 - In the years before the space race of the late 1950s, many Americans viewed outer space exploration as fantasy and science fiction. Whimsical space toys based on popular movies, radio and television shows, and comics featured futuristic robots, ray guns, and spaceships. This mechanical rocket bank from about 1951 resembles those early comic-book-style space vehicles.
- circa 1951
- Collections - Artifact
"Rocket Bank," circa 1951
In the years before the space race of the late 1950s, many Americans viewed outer space exploration as fantasy and science fiction. Whimsical space toys based on popular movies, radio and television shows, and comics featured futuristic robots, ray guns, and spaceships. This mechanical rocket bank from about 1951 resembles those early comic-book-style space vehicles.
- "Destination-Moon" Mechanical Bank, 1962 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. This mechanical bank commemorates astronaut John Glenn orbiting the Earth in 1962. The rocket resembles spaceships of the time and is topped by the moon--America's ultimate goal in the 1960s.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
"Destination-Moon" Mechanical Bank, 1962
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys became more realistic looking. This mechanical bank commemorates astronaut John Glenn orbiting the Earth in 1962. The rocket resembles spaceships of the time and is topped by the moon--America's ultimate goal in the 1960s.
- "Plan-It" Mechanical Bank, circa 1959 - Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys portrayed a more realistic and scientific vision. The "Plan-It" bank from about 1959 features the then nine planets -- possible destinations for future American astronauts as the U.S. entered the space race.
- circa 1959
- Collections - Artifact
"Plan-It" Mechanical Bank, circa 1959
Many early space toys depicted outer space as a futuristic fantasy world. But when space travel became possible, these toys portrayed a more realistic and scientific vision. The "Plan-It" bank from about 1959 features the then nine planets -- possible destinations for future American astronauts as the U.S. entered the space race.
- "Atomic Bank," circa 1949 - This "Atomic" bank made about 1949 has little to do with atomic power. In the years immediately following the Second World War, the word "atomic" held a mysterious and somewhat magical meaning for Americans--though few understood how atomic power actually worked. Merchants and manufacturers used the word to pique customer's interest and sell all types of products.
- circa 1949
- Collections - Artifact
"Atomic Bank," circa 1949
This "Atomic" bank made about 1949 has little to do with atomic power. In the years immediately following the Second World War, the word "atomic" held a mysterious and somewhat magical meaning for Americans--though few understood how atomic power actually worked. Merchants and manufacturers used the word to pique customer's interest and sell all types of products.
- "Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900 - Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
- 1886-1900
- Collections - Artifact
"Uncle Sam" Mechanical Bank, 1886-1900
Cast iron mechanical banks, which used ingenious mechanisms to deposit the money, became particularly popular between 1870 and 1930. Banks were produced in a variety of forms. When the button behind Uncle Sam's left foot is pressed, the coin in his right hand is deposited into the open valise at the same time that his beard whiskers move.
- "Hen and Chicken" Mechanical Bank, 1901-1928 - Banks with ingenious mechanisms made saving fun and were perfect gifts for children whose parents wanted to promote thrift. When a child placed a coin in front of this hen and activated a lever, a small chick emerged to peck at the coin. The mother hen's head nodded as she watched her thrifty child; her beak also moved as if to cluck approval.
- 1901-1928
- Collections - Artifact
"Hen and Chicken" Mechanical Bank, 1901-1928
Banks with ingenious mechanisms made saving fun and were perfect gifts for children whose parents wanted to promote thrift. When a child placed a coin in front of this hen and activated a lever, a small chick emerged to peck at the coin. The mother hen's head nodded as she watched her thrifty child; her beak also moved as if to cluck approval.