Search
- Mutual Electric & Machine Co. Electric Switch, Used on Sugar Island, Detroit River, Michigan, circa 1910 - Switches open or close an electrical circuit to turn things off or on. Knife switches, such as this one, were commonly used on power and lighting switchboards or connected to a motor or generator. This switch was used on Sugar Island in the Detroit River in the early 1900s. The island's powerhouse provided electricity for a dancehall, amusement rides and other amenities.

- circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Mutual Electric & Machine Co. Electric Switch, Used on Sugar Island, Detroit River, Michigan, circa 1910
Switches open or close an electrical circuit to turn things off or on. Knife switches, such as this one, were commonly used on power and lighting switchboards or connected to a motor or generator. This switch was used on Sugar Island in the Detroit River in the early 1900s. The island's powerhouse provided electricity for a dancehall, amusement rides and other amenities.
- Lantern Slide - Magic lanterns use a concave mirror and light source to project images on glass slides with painted or photographic scenes. Developed in the 17th century, magic lanterns predate slide projectors and motion pictures. In the hands of magicians, they became "lanterns of fright," projecting wondrous images and apparitions. Slide themes ranged widely: exotic travel, folklore, advertising, history, science, and art.

- Collections - Artifact
Lantern Slide
Magic lanterns use a concave mirror and light source to project images on glass slides with painted or photographic scenes. Developed in the 17th century, magic lanterns predate slide projectors and motion pictures. In the hands of magicians, they became "lanterns of fright," projecting wondrous images and apparitions. Slide themes ranged widely: exotic travel, folklore, advertising, history, science, and art.
- Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933 - The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.

- June 30, 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933
The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.
- Sears Catalog, "Wish Book for the 1979 Holiday Season" - <em>Star Wars</em> toys and electronic games filled the pages of the 1979 Sears Wish Book. Of special interest to <em>Star Wars</em> fans was the Boba Fett figure available on page 619. The character's big-screen debut came in the 1980 movie <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em>. His Wish Book appearance offered a small preview of the much-anticipated sequel.

- 1979
- Collections - Artifact
Sears Catalog, "Wish Book for the 1979 Holiday Season"
Star Wars toys and electronic games filled the pages of the 1979 Sears Wish Book. Of special interest to Star Wars fans was the Boba Fett figure available on page 619. The character's big-screen debut came in the 1980 movie The Empire Strikes Back. His Wish Book appearance offered a small preview of the much-anticipated sequel.
- "Star Trek" Lunchbox, 1968 - Generations of children have proudly sported pictorial lunchboxes of their favorite television shows since they were first introduced in 1950. <em>Star Trek</em> featured the interstellar adventures of the USS <em>Enterprise</em>, Captain James T. Kirk, and his crew "to boldly go where no man has gone before." The original <em>Star Trek</em> shows and subsequent series have developed a cult-like following by "Trekkies."

- 1968
- Collections - Artifact
"Star Trek" Lunchbox, 1968
Generations of children have proudly sported pictorial lunchboxes of their favorite television shows since they were first introduced in 1950. Star Trek featured the interstellar adventures of the USS Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk, and his crew "to boldly go where no man has gone before." The original Star Trek shows and subsequent series have developed a cult-like following by "Trekkies."
- Star Wars Lunchbox, 1977 - The first pictorial lunchboxes, introduced in 1950, featured Hopalong Cassidy. Since then, generations of children have proudly sported pictorial images of their favorite television shows, movies, and celebrities on the sides of their school lunchboxes. This metal lunchbox was produced for the 1977 <em>Star Wars</em> movie, which went on to become a pop culture classic.

- 1977
- Collections - Artifact
Star Wars Lunchbox, 1977
The first pictorial lunchboxes, introduced in 1950, featured Hopalong Cassidy. Since then, generations of children have proudly sported pictorial images of their favorite television shows, movies, and celebrities on the sides of their school lunchboxes. This metal lunchbox was produced for the 1977 Star Wars movie, which went on to become a pop culture classic.
- Hallmark "Holiday Highlights: Christmas Star" Christmas Ornament, 1981 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Holiday Highlights: Christmas Star" Christmas Ornament, 1981
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "Holiday Treasures: Family Tree" Christmas Ornament, 1981 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Holiday Treasures: Family Tree" Christmas Ornament, 1981
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "Godchild" Christmas Ornament, 1981 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1981
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Godchild" Christmas Ornament, 1981
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "Rainbow Angel" Christmas Ornament, 1983 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1983
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Rainbow Angel" Christmas Ornament, 1983
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.