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- 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.
- Wicaco Screw & Machine Works Catalog, "Wicaco Rayon Spinning Machines," circa 1920 -

- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Wicaco Screw & Machine Works Catalog, "Wicaco Rayon Spinning Machines," circa 1920
- 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.
- PCR-MATE Model 391 DNA/RNA Synthesizer, 1991-1993 -

- 1991-1993
- Collections - Artifact
PCR-MATE Model 391 DNA/RNA Synthesizer, 1991-1993
- 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.
- Trade Card for Standard Screw Fastened Boots & Shoes, 1886 - In the last third of the nineteenth century, an unprecedented variety of consumer goods and services flooded the American market. Advertisers, armed with new methods of color printing, bombarded potential customers with trade cards. Americans enjoyed and often saved the vibrant little advertisements found in product packages or distributed by local merchants. Many survive as historical records of commercialism in the United States.

- 1886
- Collections - Artifact
Trade Card for Standard Screw Fastened Boots & Shoes, 1886
In the last third of the nineteenth century, an unprecedented variety of consumer goods and services flooded the American market. Advertisers, armed with new methods of color printing, bombarded potential customers with trade cards. Americans enjoyed and often saved the vibrant little advertisements found in product packages or distributed by local merchants. Many survive as historical records of commercialism in the United States.
- Ceiling Light Fixture, 1960-1965 -

- 1960-1965
- Collections - Artifact
Ceiling Light Fixture, 1960-1965
- 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.
- Arrow-Hart & Hegeman #7249 Rubber Cap, 1958-1968 -

- 1958-1968
- Collections - Artifact
Arrow-Hart & Hegeman #7249 Rubber Cap, 1958-1968
- Ceiling Light Fixture, 1960-1965 -

- 1960-1965
- Collections - Artifact
Ceiling Light Fixture, 1960-1965