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- Trade Card for Fisk Bicycle Tires, circa 1938 - In the last third of the nineteenth century, American consumers could choose from an unprecedented variety of goods and services. Seeking to distinguish certain products and businesses from the competition, advertisers began to print and distribute trade cards. Though the popularity of these cards diminished after 1900, some companies employed the informative, often vibrant little advertisements well into the twentieth century.
- circa 1938
- Collections - Artifact
Trade Card for Fisk Bicycle Tires, circa 1938
In the last third of the nineteenth century, American consumers could choose from an unprecedented variety of goods and services. Seeking to distinguish certain products and businesses from the competition, advertisers began to print and distribute trade cards. Though the popularity of these cards diminished after 1900, some companies employed the informative, often vibrant little advertisements well into the twentieth century.
- Donwell Dairy Milk Carton - The quest for a shatter-proof milk container prompted John Van Wormer to patent a paper carton in 1915. Many processors and distributors continued to use breakable glass bottles, but, after 1937, mechanized production made the disposable, wax-coated folded cartons inexpensive and indispensable liquid containers. The iconic design, a box with a gable-end top that, when opened, creates a pouring spout, remains the industry standard today.
- Collections - Artifact
Donwell Dairy Milk Carton
The quest for a shatter-proof milk container prompted John Van Wormer to patent a paper carton in 1915. Many processors and distributors continued to use breakable glass bottles, but, after 1937, mechanized production made the disposable, wax-coated folded cartons inexpensive and indispensable liquid containers. The iconic design, a box with a gable-end top that, when opened, creates a pouring spout, remains the industry standard today.
- 1908 Stevens-Duryea Model U Limousine - Early car buyers knew what motor vehicles should look like -- carriages, of course! But automobiles need things carriages don't: radiators, windshields, controls, horns, and hoods. Early automakers developed simple solutions. Brass, often used for carriage trim, was adopted for radiators, levers, and horns. Windshields were glass plates in wood frames. Rectangular sheet metal covers hid engines. The result? A surprisingly attractive mix of materials, colors, and shapes.
- 1908
- Collections - Artifact
1908 Stevens-Duryea Model U Limousine
Early car buyers knew what motor vehicles should look like -- carriages, of course! But automobiles need things carriages don't: radiators, windshields, controls, horns, and hoods. Early automakers developed simple solutions. Brass, often used for carriage trim, was adopted for radiators, levers, and horns. Windshields were glass plates in wood frames. Rectangular sheet metal covers hid engines. The result? A surprisingly attractive mix of materials, colors, and shapes.
- Wood Copying Lathe, circa 1865 - Thomas Blanchard's duplicating lathe was originally developed in 1818 for manufacturing rifle stocks. It made copies using a rotating blade whose position was guided by the shape of a prototype -- much in the manner of a modern key cutting machine. These lathes -- readily operated by semi-skilled operators -- were adapted to make other irregularly-shaped forms such as shoe lasts and axe handles.
- circa 1865
- Collections - Artifact
Wood Copying Lathe, circa 1865
Thomas Blanchard's duplicating lathe was originally developed in 1818 for manufacturing rifle stocks. It made copies using a rotating blade whose position was guided by the shape of a prototype -- much in the manner of a modern key cutting machine. These lathes -- readily operated by semi-skilled operators -- were adapted to make other irregularly-shaped forms such as shoe lasts and axe handles.
- National Reversible Sulky Plow, circa 1886 -
- circa 1886
- Collections - Artifact
National Reversible Sulky Plow, circa 1886
- Knitting Machine, 1867-1893 -
- 1867-1893
- Collections - Artifact
Knitting Machine, 1867-1893
- Knitting Machine, 1867-1893 -
- 1867-1893
- Collections - Artifact
Knitting Machine, 1867-1893
- Hay Tedder, circa 1875 - In the late 19th century, mowing machines left thick swaths of moisture-laden hay grasses in the field. Farmers used tedders to fluff up hay, increasing air circulation to hasten drying before moving the hay into their barns. Drying helped retain hay's nutritional value and decreased the risk of spontaneous combustion that could occur with piles of wet hay.
- circa 1875
- Collections - Artifact
Hay Tedder, circa 1875
In the late 19th century, mowing machines left thick swaths of moisture-laden hay grasses in the field. Farmers used tedders to fluff up hay, increasing air circulation to hasten drying before moving the hay into their barns. Drying helped retain hay's nutritional value and decreased the risk of spontaneous combustion that could occur with piles of wet hay.