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- General Electric Thomson Recording Wattmeter, circa 1903 - Elihu Thomson, engineer, inventor and cofounder of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, developed a commutator-type wattmeter in the late 1880s. His recording watt-hour meter helped transform the nascent electric power industry. The sturdy device provided companies that supplied electricity to consumers a way to accurately track and bill electrical power use.
- circa 1903
- Collections - Artifact
General Electric Thomson Recording Wattmeter, circa 1903
Elihu Thomson, engineer, inventor and cofounder of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, developed a commutator-type wattmeter in the late 1880s. His recording watt-hour meter helped transform the nascent electric power industry. The sturdy device provided companies that supplied electricity to consumers a way to accurately track and bill electrical power use.
- Ivory Soap, Complimentary Size, From Shady Rest Motel, 1947-1959 -
- 1947-1959
- Collections - Artifact
Ivory Soap, Complimentary Size, From Shady Rest Motel, 1947-1959
- Brochure for Wabash Railway's Excursions, "See Niagara Falls, America's Greatest Wonder," 1929 - The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971. Niagara Falls was one of America's earliest and most popular tourist attractions. To compete with automobiles, the Wabash Railway offered in this 1929 brochure convenient excursion trips with economical fares to this popular attraction.
- 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Brochure for Wabash Railway's Excursions, "See Niagara Falls, America's Greatest Wonder," 1929
The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971. Niagara Falls was one of America's earliest and most popular tourist attractions. To compete with automobiles, the Wabash Railway offered in this 1929 brochure convenient excursion trips with economical fares to this popular attraction.
- Group of Bicyclists at Niagara Falls, Canada, 1885 - Even before the bicycling craze of the 1890s, groups of hearty men engaged in long-distance bicycle tours. This group of bicyclists, shown in this photograph from 1885, have just completed one such tour at their final destination of Niagara Falls.
- 1885
- Collections - Artifact
Group of Bicyclists at Niagara Falls, Canada, 1885
Even before the bicycling craze of the 1890s, groups of hearty men engaged in long-distance bicycle tours. This group of bicyclists, shown in this photograph from 1885, have just completed one such tour at their final destination of Niagara Falls.
- Composite Photograph of the American and Canadian Falls at Niagara, circa 1900 - This is likely the first composite photograph made of the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls on the Niagara River between Canada and the United States. It was taken with an "Al-Vista" panoramic camera by Leonard J. Smith. Smith owned the Multiscope and Film Company in Burlington, Wisconsin, which manufactured and sold the "Al-Vista" camera in the early 1900s.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Composite Photograph of the American and Canadian Falls at Niagara, circa 1900
This is likely the first composite photograph made of the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls on the Niagara River between Canada and the United States. It was taken with an "Al-Vista" panoramic camera by Leonard J. Smith. Smith owned the Multiscope and Film Company in Burlington, Wisconsin, which manufactured and sold the "Al-Vista" camera in the early 1900s.
- General Electric Thomson Two-Rate Recording Wattmeter, circa 1900 - In the late 1800s, electrical engineers developed a two-rate wattmeter that could record power consumption during high and low demand periods. This device allowed companies that supplied electricity to offer a cheaper rate during off-peak hours. By charging a lower rate, power suppliers hoped to increase usage during slack times and operate their machinery more profitably at maximum efficiency.
- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
General Electric Thomson Two-Rate Recording Wattmeter, circa 1900
In the late 1800s, electrical engineers developed a two-rate wattmeter that could record power consumption during high and low demand periods. This device allowed companies that supplied electricity to offer a cheaper rate during off-peak hours. By charging a lower rate, power suppliers hoped to increase usage during slack times and operate their machinery more profitably at maximum efficiency.
- Fort Wayne Type K Wattmeter, 1901-1908 - In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used -- and then charge them accordingly. Inventive electrical engineers developed various methods to measure electric power. Induction meters that employed magnetic fields to rotate a disc or cylinder to register energy usage would become the standard. Continued improvements made these wattmeters more compact and reliable.
- 1901-1908
- Collections - Artifact
Fort Wayne Type K Wattmeter, 1901-1908
In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used -- and then charge them accordingly. Inventive electrical engineers developed various methods to measure electric power. Induction meters that employed magnetic fields to rotate a disc or cylinder to register energy usage would become the standard. Continued improvements made these wattmeters more compact and reliable.
- "Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada: So Much to See and So Much to Do at Canada's Vacation Centre," circa 1955 - Visitors had sightseeing options when visiting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. This vacation destination offered "so much to see and so much to do," according to this 1950s brochure. In addition to the famous waterfalls, tourists could walk or drive to other points of interest, including the Welland Canal, Queen Victoria Park, or the Hydro Floral Clock.
- circa 1955
- Collections - Artifact
"Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada: So Much to See and So Much to Do at Canada's Vacation Centre," circa 1955
Visitors had sightseeing options when visiting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. This vacation destination offered "so much to see and so much to do," according to this 1950s brochure. In addition to the famous waterfalls, tourists could walk or drive to other points of interest, including the Welland Canal, Queen Victoria Park, or the Hydro Floral Clock.
- Map, "View of the Country Round the Falls of Niagara," 1812 - This 1812 copper-plate engraving focuses on the area surrounding the Niagara Falls. The map shows Buffalo to the south on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario to the north of the falls.
- 1812
- Collections - Artifact
Map, "View of the Country Round the Falls of Niagara," 1812
This 1812 copper-plate engraving focuses on the area surrounding the Niagara Falls. The map shows Buffalo to the south on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario to the north of the falls.
- Transformer - Transformers increase or decrease voltage and are essential to alternating current (AC) power systems. In the late 1800s, with the help of transformers, AC power systems proved more efficient and economical than their direct current competitors. Transformers helped convert electricity to high voltage for transmission across long distances, then reduced it to lower, safer voltages for use in homes and factories.
- Collections - Artifact
Transformer
Transformers increase or decrease voltage and are essential to alternating current (AC) power systems. In the late 1800s, with the help of transformers, AC power systems proved more efficient and economical than their direct current competitors. Transformers helped convert electricity to high voltage for transmission across long distances, then reduced it to lower, safer voltages for use in homes and factories.