Search
- Prototype Lawn Mower, Designed by Norman Swanson, circa 1956 - Norman Swanson created this prototype lawn mower that he used to mow his family's land in suburban Warrenville, Illinois. He configured a multiple-cutter system and mounted it under his International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy tractor. He also designed a deflector above the blades to better pulverize the grass clippings. Swanson received patents for these two lawn mowing innovations in 1959.

- circa 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Prototype Lawn Mower, Designed by Norman Swanson, circa 1956
Norman Swanson created this prototype lawn mower that he used to mow his family's land in suburban Warrenville, Illinois. He configured a multiple-cutter system and mounted it under his International Harvester Cub Lo-Boy tractor. He also designed a deflector above the blades to better pulverize the grass clippings. Swanson received patents for these two lawn mowing innovations in 1959.
- Cardboard Chair, 1965-1969 -

- 1965-1969
- Collections - Artifact
Cardboard Chair, 1965-1969
- Chadwick Pre-Production Prototype Office Chair, 2005 -

- 2005
- Collections - Artifact
Chadwick Pre-Production Prototype Office Chair, 2005
- Prototype Racing Tire, circa 1960 - Bobby Unser made his reputation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The course had a dirt surface when Unser raced it, so he searched for ways to improve tire traction. Unser tried grinding up various substances and mixing the results into rubber to produce a tire with more grip. The most effective material turned out to be ground walnut shells.

- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Prototype Racing Tire, circa 1960
Bobby Unser made his reputation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The course had a dirt surface when Unser raced it, so he searched for ways to improve tire traction. Unser tried grinding up various substances and mixing the results into rubber to produce a tire with more grip. The most effective material turned out to be ground walnut shells.
- "The Walking Office" Wearable Computer Prototype, 1984 - The Walking Office Wearable Computer is a prototype model created by the design group Salotto Dinamico. This proposed device subverted where (and when) the office could be, turning the human body into a mobile workstation. A keyboard, display arc, and cassette recorder became personal adornment--also capable of pairing with an acoustic modem to exchange data through telephone lines.

- 1984
- Collections - Artifact
"The Walking Office" Wearable Computer Prototype, 1984
The Walking Office Wearable Computer is a prototype model created by the design group Salotto Dinamico. This proposed device subverted where (and when) the office could be, turning the human body into a mobile workstation. A keyboard, display arc, and cassette recorder became personal adornment--also capable of pairing with an acoustic modem to exchange data through telephone lines.
- Face Mask Component Prototype, 2020 - Like other American automakers, Ford Motor Company devoted employees and facilities to producing specialized equipment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Face masks reduced the risk of spreading the virus through respiratory droplets. This is a prototype part for a particulate respirator -- a type of mask that protected the wearer from exhaling and inhaling droplets.

- 2020
- Collections - Artifact
Face Mask Component Prototype, 2020
Like other American automakers, Ford Motor Company devoted employees and facilities to producing specialized equipment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Face masks reduced the risk of spreading the virus through respiratory droplets. This is a prototype part for a particulate respirator -- a type of mask that protected the wearer from exhaling and inhaling droplets.
- Burroughs Prototype SmartSource Check Scanner, circa 2005 -

- circa 2005
- Collections - Artifact
Burroughs Prototype SmartSource Check Scanner, circa 2005
- Sample Relief of New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame "Michael" Award - Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.

- Collections - Artifact
Sample Relief of New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame "Michael" Award
Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.
- Maple Wood Alarm Clock Production Sample, 2004 - Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.

- 2004
- Collections - Artifact
Maple Wood Alarm Clock Production Sample, 2004
Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.
- Sample Vase, 1989 - Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.

- 1989
- Collections - Artifact
Sample Vase, 1989
Starting in the early 1980s--and already established as an internationally recognized architect--Michael Graves began to pursue a parallel career as a product designer. Over the following three and a half decades he and his collaborators designed everything from humble household goods to limited edition luxury items for clients as diverse as Steuben, Alessi, Target, J. C. Penney, and Disney.