Search
- Commemorative Plate, Featuring Glenn Curtiss, circa 1910 - Glenn Curtiss pioneered aileron control systems and designed some of the first successful seaplanes. He formed an exhibition flying team, and he set several flight records of his own. Starting in 1909, Curtiss was involved in a bitter patent dispute with the Wright brothers. It wasn't resolved until 1917, when World War I forced the creation of a patent pool.
- circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Commemorative Plate, Featuring Glenn Curtiss, circa 1910
Glenn Curtiss pioneered aileron control systems and designed some of the first successful seaplanes. He formed an exhibition flying team, and he set several flight records of his own. Starting in 1909, Curtiss was involved in a bitter patent dispute with the Wright brothers. It wasn't resolved until 1917, when World War I forced the creation of a patent pool.
- Dish, 1825-1845 - Mechanically pressed glass was an innovation in glass history, making decorative, "patterned" glass available to a broad audience. One of the earliest types of pressed glass, dating to the 1830s is known as "Lacy Glass". Complex stippled patterns were developed to help hide technical defects caused by early presses, when the glass gather was cut off and dropped into a mold.
- 1825-1845
- Collections - Artifact
Dish, 1825-1845
Mechanically pressed glass was an innovation in glass history, making decorative, "patterned" glass available to a broad audience. One of the earliest types of pressed glass, dating to the 1830s is known as "Lacy Glass". Complex stippled patterns were developed to help hide technical defects caused by early presses, when the glass gather was cut off and dropped into a mold.
- Plate, 1830-1845 - Mechanically pressed glass was an innovation in glass history, making decorative, "patterned" glass available to a broad audience. One of the earliest types of pressed glass, dating to the 1830s is known as "Lacy Glass". Complex stippled patterns were developed to help hide technical defects caused by early presses, when the glass gather was cut off and dropped into a mold.
- 1830-1845
- Collections - Artifact
Plate, 1830-1845
Mechanically pressed glass was an innovation in glass history, making decorative, "patterned" glass available to a broad audience. One of the earliest types of pressed glass, dating to the 1830s is known as "Lacy Glass". Complex stippled patterns were developed to help hide technical defects caused by early presses, when the glass gather was cut off and dropped into a mold.
- Plate, circa 1880 - Ever since the White House became the President's official home, dinnerware for state occasions was purchased in great quantities. Usually, the china was the choice of the President or his wife. The next administration sometimes added to the set or in many cases, disposed of the remnants and ordered new. This plate came from the service used by President Rutherford B. Hayes.
- circa 1880
- Collections - Artifact
Plate, circa 1880
Ever since the White House became the President's official home, dinnerware for state occasions was purchased in great quantities. Usually, the china was the choice of the President or his wife. The next administration sometimes added to the set or in many cases, disposed of the remnants and ordered new. This plate came from the service used by President Rutherford B. Hayes.
- Favrile Plate, 1918-1924 - Art Glass is ornamental and decorative glass dating from the mid-to-late 19th century through the early 20th century. Makers of Art Glass employed newly developed technologies for producing vibrant colors and surface textures. This is most famously seen in the iridescent surfaces of Louis Comfort Tiffany and his contemporaries, although Art Glass took many shapes and forms.
- 1918-1924
- Collections - Artifact
Favrile Plate, 1918-1924
Art Glass is ornamental and decorative glass dating from the mid-to-late 19th century through the early 20th century. Makers of Art Glass employed newly developed technologies for producing vibrant colors and surface textures. This is most famously seen in the iridescent surfaces of Louis Comfort Tiffany and his contemporaries, although Art Glass took many shapes and forms.
- Century of Progress Souvenir Plate Depicting Hall of Science, 1934 - Chicago's 1933-34 Century of Progress Exposition used the theme of progress to buoy national optimism during the darkest years of the Great Depression. Many fairgoers returned home with mementos, such as souvenir plates depicting landmarks from the exposition.
- 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Century of Progress Souvenir Plate Depicting Hall of Science, 1934
Chicago's 1933-34 Century of Progress Exposition used the theme of progress to buoy national optimism during the darkest years of the Great Depression. Many fairgoers returned home with mementos, such as souvenir plates depicting landmarks from the exposition.
- "Pennsylvania Turnpike" Souvenir Plate, 1946-1958 - When the first segment of the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in 1940, drivers appreciated its smooth pavement, gentle curves, and absence of stoplights. The toll road became the prototype for modern limited-access highways. It also became something of a tourist attraction, and drivers purchased souvenirs to commemorate their journeys along the route.
- 1946-1958
- Collections - Artifact
"Pennsylvania Turnpike" Souvenir Plate, 1946-1958
When the first segment of the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in 1940, drivers appreciated its smooth pavement, gentle curves, and absence of stoplights. The toll road became the prototype for modern limited-access highways. It also became something of a tourist attraction, and drivers purchased souvenirs to commemorate their journeys along the route.
- Luncheon Plate, 1923 - Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and naturalist John Burroughs embarked on a series of camping trips between 1916 and 1924. These self-proclaimed Vagabonds loved to explore nature and the pre-industrial landscape, but they also camped in style. This group of well-to-do adventurers brought along service staff and all needed amenities including a set of durable, Art and Crafts-patterned china.
- 1923
- Collections - Artifact
Luncheon Plate, 1923
Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone and naturalist John Burroughs embarked on a series of camping trips between 1916 and 1924. These self-proclaimed Vagabonds loved to explore nature and the pre-industrial landscape, but they also camped in style. This group of well-to-do adventurers brought along service staff and all needed amenities including a set of durable, Art and Crafts-patterned china.
- Set of Melamine Tableware, 1950-1960 - During the early 1950s, plastic dinnerware in the form of melamine was introduced to the American market. By 1956, twenty-five percent of Americans owned at least a pair of these plates. Industrial designers Russel and Mary Wright were famous for producing aesthetically pleasing ceramic dinnerware as early as the 1930s. This set, in fashionable turquoise, was the Wrights' first design in plastic.
- 1950-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Set of Melamine Tableware, 1950-1960
During the early 1950s, plastic dinnerware in the form of melamine was introduced to the American market. By 1956, twenty-five percent of Americans owned at least a pair of these plates. Industrial designers Russel and Mary Wright were famous for producing aesthetically pleasing ceramic dinnerware as early as the 1930s. This set, in fashionable turquoise, was the Wrights' first design in plastic.
- Paint Pattern Practice Plate, Painted by Helen Gardner, 1911 - China painting was an important pastime for many American women. They painted over the glaze of fired, undecorated pieces of white porcelain called "blanks." In preparation for her 1912 wedding to Leon Gardner, recent college graduate Helen Marie Eichele purchased a set of blank china and decorated it with the help of some friends. This plate features one of the patterns she practiced.
- 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Paint Pattern Practice Plate, Painted by Helen Gardner, 1911
China painting was an important pastime for many American women. They painted over the glaze of fired, undecorated pieces of white porcelain called "blanks." In preparation for her 1912 wedding to Leon Gardner, recent college graduate Helen Marie Eichele purchased a set of blank china and decorated it with the help of some friends. This plate features one of the patterns she practiced.