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- 1899 Duryea Trap - Cars of this era usually looked like squarish horse-drawn buggies. But Charles Duryea was inspired by the more graceful curves of a victoria carriage. The curling front forks support the single front wheel and flex to absorb jolts. The driver used a control stick to steer, shift gears, and accelerate. The automobile may have looked good, but passengers sat back to back, making conversation difficult.
- 1899
- Collections - Artifact
1899 Duryea Trap
Cars of this era usually looked like squarish horse-drawn buggies. But Charles Duryea was inspired by the more graceful curves of a victoria carriage. The curling front forks support the single front wheel and flex to absorb jolts. The driver used a control stick to steer, shift gears, and accelerate. The automobile may have looked good, but passengers sat back to back, making conversation difficult.
- Avery Steam Traction Engine, circa 1916 - Massive steam engines like the Avery were generally used on the large farms of the Great Plains, though this engine was used on Ford Farms in Dearborn, Michigan. It generated 30 horsepower, but weighed 23 tons! More efficient tractors, like the Fordson, which could generate 20 horsepower but weighed just over one ton, soon replaced these dinosaurs of the farm.
- circa 1916
- Collections - Artifact
Avery Steam Traction Engine, circa 1916
Massive steam engines like the Avery were generally used on the large farms of the Great Plains, though this engine was used on Ford Farms in Dearborn, Michigan. It generated 30 horsepower, but weighed 23 tons! More efficient tractors, like the Fordson, which could generate 20 horsepower but weighed just over one ton, soon replaced these dinosaurs of the farm.
- Larkin Company Trade Catalog, "This Handsome Coat, Yours Without Cost," circa 1910 - John D. Larkin established a soap manufacturing company in 1875. He hired his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, as a salesman. Hubbard developed "The Larkin Idea," a plan that sold goods directly to consumers through mail-order catalogs and offered incentivizing giveaways. It was a success. By the early 1900s, Larkin's catalogs contained pages of products and even more pages of premiums from which customers could choose.
- circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Larkin Company Trade Catalog, "This Handsome Coat, Yours Without Cost," circa 1910
John D. Larkin established a soap manufacturing company in 1875. He hired his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, as a salesman. Hubbard developed "The Larkin Idea," a plan that sold goods directly to consumers through mail-order catalogs and offered incentivizing giveaways. It was a success. By the early 1900s, Larkin's catalogs contained pages of products and even more pages of premiums from which customers could choose.
- "Whirling Fairy" Lawn Sprinkler, 1927-1932 - As suburban developments grew during the late nineteenth century, homeowners worked to maintain green lawns during dry weather. They usually spot-watered, carrying buckets to thirsty ornamental plants or using hand pumps or water barrel trucks to deliver more water. Pressurized municipal water systems made this job easier -- and opened a market in the decades that followed for lawn sprinklers designed to fit standard garden hoses.
- 1927-1932
- Collections - Artifact
"Whirling Fairy" Lawn Sprinkler, 1927-1932
As suburban developments grew during the late nineteenth century, homeowners worked to maintain green lawns during dry weather. They usually spot-watered, carrying buckets to thirsty ornamental plants or using hand pumps or water barrel trucks to deliver more water. Pressurized municipal water systems made this job easier -- and opened a market in the decades that followed for lawn sprinklers designed to fit standard garden hoses.
- Postcard Advertising the Domestic Vacuum Sweeper Company of Peoria, Illinois, circa 1910 - This card advertising a carpet sweeper shows the most modern interior in 1910 America. All of the furnishings represent the Arts and Crafts style, from the reclining or Morris chair behind the maid, to the rocker next to the fireplace, with its cozy corner, or inglenook. Even the lighting fixtures are as up to date as possible.
- circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Postcard Advertising the Domestic Vacuum Sweeper Company of Peoria, Illinois, circa 1910
This card advertising a carpet sweeper shows the most modern interior in 1910 America. All of the furnishings represent the Arts and Crafts style, from the reclining or Morris chair behind the maid, to the rocker next to the fireplace, with its cozy corner, or inglenook. Even the lighting fixtures are as up to date as possible.
- Diamond Electric Company Scheeffer Recording Wattmeter, 1896-1898 - In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used--and then charge them accordingly. Gustave A. Scheeffer designed various types of meters for the Diamond Meter Company. The company, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, however did not last long, dissolving about 1905.
- 1896-1898
- Collections - Artifact
Diamond Electric Company Scheeffer Recording Wattmeter, 1896-1898
In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used--and then charge them accordingly. Gustave A. Scheeffer designed various types of meters for the Diamond Meter Company. The company, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, however did not last long, dissolving about 1905.
- Diamond Meter Company Type H Wattmeter, circa 1905 -
- circa 1905
- Collections - Artifact
Diamond Meter Company Type H Wattmeter, circa 1905
- Larkin Company Trade Catalog, "The Larkin Home-Helper," circa 1910 - John D. Larkin established a soap manufacturing company in 1875. He hired his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, as a salesman. Hubbard developed "The Larkin Idea," a plan that sold goods directly to consumers through mail-order catalogs and offered incentivizing giveaways. It was a success. By the early 1900s, Larkin's catalogs contained pages of products and even more pages of premiums from which customers could choose.
- circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Larkin Company Trade Catalog, "The Larkin Home-Helper," circa 1910
John D. Larkin established a soap manufacturing company in 1875. He hired his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, as a salesman. Hubbard developed "The Larkin Idea," a plan that sold goods directly to consumers through mail-order catalogs and offered incentivizing giveaways. It was a success. By the early 1900s, Larkin's catalogs contained pages of products and even more pages of premiums from which customers could choose.
- "Care and Operation of Caterpillar 10-Ton Tractor," 1920 -
- 1920
- Collections - Artifact
"Care and Operation of Caterpillar 10-Ton Tractor," 1920
- Diamond Electric Company Scheeffer Recording Wattmeter, 1894-1898 - In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used--and then charge them accordingly. Gustave A. Scheeffer designed various types of meters for the Diamond Meter Company. The company, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, however did not last long, dissolving about 1905.
- 1894-1898
- Collections - Artifact
Diamond Electric Company Scheeffer Recording Wattmeter, 1894-1898
In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used--and then charge them accordingly. Gustave A. Scheeffer designed various types of meters for the Diamond Meter Company. The company, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, however did not last long, dissolving about 1905.