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- Interior of Kent Motor Company Parts Delivery Truck, Alogona, Iowa, June 1939 - Ford Motor Company's truck lineup for 1939 included pickups, panel trucks, stake body and platform models, and sedan delivery vehicles. Larger commercial models were available in dump truck and cab-over-engine configurations. Power came from V-8 engines available with displacements of 136 or 221 cubic inches.
- June 23, 1939
- Collections - Artifact
Interior of Kent Motor Company Parts Delivery Truck, Alogona, Iowa, June 1939
Ford Motor Company's truck lineup for 1939 included pickups, panel trucks, stake body and platform models, and sedan delivery vehicles. Larger commercial models were available in dump truck and cab-over-engine configurations. Power came from V-8 engines available with displacements of 136 or 221 cubic inches.
- Iowa License Plate, 1986 - Early state-issued license plates were made of porcelain-coated iron. Later, states stamped tin, steel, or even copper to make plates. During the Second World War several states used fiberboard. Plate colors varied and some states added symbols, mottoes, or other design elements. Today, states use reflective sheeting to coat a standard-sized aluminum blank which is then stamped and decorated.
- 1986
- Collections - Artifact
Iowa License Plate, 1986
Early state-issued license plates were made of porcelain-coated iron. Later, states stamped tin, steel, or even copper to make plates. During the Second World War several states used fiberboard. Plate colors varied and some states added symbols, mottoes, or other design elements. Today, states use reflective sheeting to coat a standard-sized aluminum blank which is then stamped and decorated.
- Clarksville Diner Menu, March 1995 -
- March 01, 1995
- Collections - Artifact
Clarksville Diner Menu, March 1995
- Auto Campers with Ford Model T Touring Car and Tent, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, circa 1919 - During the late teens and 1920s, hordes of middle-class motorists were answering the call of the open road. But overnight lodgings were hard to find, so many people packed a tent, cots, and food, and enjoyed the freedom of autocamping. Setting up camp for the night provided the opportunity to make much-needed repairs before heading out the next day.
- circa 1919
- Collections - Artifact
Auto Campers with Ford Model T Touring Car and Tent, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, circa 1919
During the late teens and 1920s, hordes of middle-class motorists were answering the call of the open road. But overnight lodgings were hard to find, so many people packed a tent, cots, and food, and enjoyed the freedom of autocamping. Setting up camp for the night provided the opportunity to make much-needed repairs before heading out the next day.
- Chicago and Northwestern Railway Advertising Broadside, 1868 - President Lincoln designated Council Bluffs, Iowa, as the official eastern terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad. (Though the Missouri River wasn't bridged until 1872, making Omaha, Nebraska, the effective terminus until then.) The transcontinental route connected with the rest of the eastern U.S. railroad network via the Chicago & North Western Railway, completed to Council Bluffs from Chicago in 1867.
- 1868
- Collections - Artifact
Chicago and Northwestern Railway Advertising Broadside, 1868
President Lincoln designated Council Bluffs, Iowa, as the official eastern terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad. (Though the Missouri River wasn't bridged until 1872, making Omaha, Nebraska, the effective terminus until then.) The transcontinental route connected with the rest of the eastern U.S. railroad network via the Chicago & North Western Railway, completed to Council Bluffs from Chicago in 1867.
- Helen M. Schultz Brewer, Owner of Red Ball Bus Company, Iowa, circa 1924 - Helen M. Schultz started the Red Ball Transportation Company in 1922 with buses running from Waterloo to Des Moines, Iowa. Schultz met many challenges while establishing her business, including competition from rival bus lines and the railroad, government regulations, and poor highway conditions. She sold Red Ball to the Jefferson Highway Transportation Company in 1930.
- circa 1924
- Collections - Artifact
Helen M. Schultz Brewer, Owner of Red Ball Bus Company, Iowa, circa 1924
Helen M. Schultz started the Red Ball Transportation Company in 1922 with buses running from Waterloo to Des Moines, Iowa. Schultz met many challenges while establishing her business, including competition from rival bus lines and the railroad, government regulations, and poor highway conditions. She sold Red Ball to the Jefferson Highway Transportation Company in 1930.
- Bergmann & Company Light Socket Used at Boone Electric Light Company, 1885 - A light socket provides a secure connection between an incandescent electric lamp and the electrical circuit. In the late 19th century, companies created lamp bulb bases with unique styles and sizes which would only fit sockets that they made. By 1910 the Edison screw-type base had become so popular it was virtually an industry standard, and consumers no longer had to buy lamps and sockets from the same manufacturer.
- 1885
- Collections - Artifact
Bergmann & Company Light Socket Used at Boone Electric Light Company, 1885
A light socket provides a secure connection between an incandescent electric lamp and the electrical circuit. In the late 19th century, companies created lamp bulb bases with unique styles and sizes which would only fit sockets that they made. By 1910 the Edison screw-type base had become so popular it was virtually an industry standard, and consumers no longer had to buy lamps and sockets from the same manufacturer.
- Air Show Poster, Miss Lillian Boyer, "Empress of the Air," 1926 - Would you climb out on the wing of an airplane? In 1921, Lillian Boyer did after only her second time in the air. This fearless decision led her to become a wing walker, performing death-defying aerial feats. She hung by her teeth, ankles, and toes. She balanced on her head. She even changed planes in midair. Her stunts garnered headlines wherever she performed.
- 1926
- Collections - Artifact
Air Show Poster, Miss Lillian Boyer, "Empress of the Air," 1926
Would you climb out on the wing of an airplane? In 1921, Lillian Boyer did after only her second time in the air. This fearless decision led her to become a wing walker, performing death-defying aerial feats. She hung by her teeth, ankles, and toes. She balanced on her head. She even changed planes in midair. Her stunts garnered headlines wherever she performed.
- Newspaper Article, "Lillian Boyer to Thrill Fair Crowds on Closing Day," August 7, 1925 - Wing walker Lillian Boyer performed death-defying acts on a plane piloted by the steady hand of Lt. William "Billy" Brock. The two barnstormed across America in the 1920s and thrilled crowds with their daring stunts. But by the end of the decade increased safety regulations forced many barnstormers into retirement. The two split up; Brock attempted an around-the-world flight in 1927 and Boyer retired a year later.
- August 07, 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Newspaper Article, "Lillian Boyer to Thrill Fair Crowds on Closing Day," August 7, 1925
Wing walker Lillian Boyer performed death-defying acts on a plane piloted by the steady hand of Lt. William "Billy" Brock. The two barnstormed across America in the 1920s and thrilled crowds with their daring stunts. But by the end of the decade increased safety regulations forced many barnstormers into retirement. The two split up; Brock attempted an around-the-world flight in 1927 and Boyer retired a year later.
- Custer Battlefield Highway Badge, 1920-1930 - Founded in 1902, the American Automobile Association (AAA) lobbied for motorist-friendly legislation, promoted road and highway improvements, and encouraged automobile travel and tourism. This AAA badge promoted the Custer Battlefield Highway, which connected Des Moines with Glacier National Park. The 1,500-mile highway passed through Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana.
- 1920-1930
- Collections - Artifact
Custer Battlefield Highway Badge, 1920-1930
Founded in 1902, the American Automobile Association (AAA) lobbied for motorist-friendly legislation, promoted road and highway improvements, and encouraged automobile travel and tourism. This AAA badge promoted the Custer Battlefield Highway, which connected Des Moines with Glacier National Park. The 1,500-mile highway passed through Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana.