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Found 173 Stories
Detail of cartoon drawing of men sitting around an old-time general store. One man is nailing up a sign that reads, in part, “Pump Salesmen Wanted. Must be experts upon water meters, filters, . . . engines . . . compressors . . . etc.”
Blog

Looking Beyond Steam Pumps

Buried inside the unprocessed papers of a steam pump manufacturer were drawings and illustrations illuminating the work culture and life within the company.

The reverse side of the John Scott medal, inscribed, “THE SCOTT PREMIUM TO THE MOST DESERVING To John McMullin [sic] of Sinking Valley, Huntingdon County Penna. for a Knitting Machine 1835.”
Blog

Knitting Stockings by Machine

John McMullen and Joseph Hollen, Jr. patented a machine for knitting stockings in 1831 that promised a greater facility in shaping the work, the production of firmer and more even fabrics, and “the employment of children” to attend the operation.

12 contemporary textile pins made by W.H. Bagshaw Co. arranged in a radiating circle
Blog

Innovation and Employment

Pin-making machines and creative destruction

A box of various connectors 3D printed by Spark!Lab's Tim Pula
Spark!Lab

The Great Connector Quest

With its high-volume visitation, Spark!Lab is always on the lookout for durable materials that complete our activities. Sometimes though, we have to invent them ourselves.

A crutch made up of various 3D printed pieces
Spark!Lab

Has 3D Printing Become a Crutch?

My go-to tool in designing and maintaining activities for Spark!Lab is a 3D printer. I've designed and printed over 100 different parts. Is 3D printing a crutch?

Armory of the Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, from across the Connecticut River.
Places of Invention

A Day at the Armory

One of the most exciting aspects of historical research is the thrill of finding a truly great primary source.

Mark Twain
Places of Invention

Yankee Ingenuity: The Inventors of Hartford, Part 2 (of 2)

In the 1800s, New England was the home to dozens of iconic inventors and hundreds of lesser-known, but highly skilled machinists and toolmakers.

Visitors on a behind the scenes tour during the Color of Invention symposium examine textiles.
Symposia & Conferences

The Colors of Invention: An Exploration of Color, Technology, and Culture

From the 1997 Lemelson Center Symposium

MIND database logo for Smithsonian-held archival materials
Archives

Coal and Gas Trust Investigation Collection, 1858-1929

Inventor Name Unknown

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Burton-Humphreys Oil Production Collection, ca. 1912-1920

Inventor Name Burton, William and Humphreys, Robert

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Texas and Pacific Coal Company Records, 1889-1979 and undated

Inventor Name Unknown

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Richard Steele Papers, 1948-1963

Inventor Name Steele, Richard

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

United States Steel Corporation Atlantic City Project Records, 1877-1985

Inventor Name Unknown

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Records of Companies Absorbed by Du Pont, 1756-1937 (bulk 1875-1915)

Inventor Name Unknown

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

J. Howard Pew Files, 1918-1947

Inventor Name Pew, J. Howard

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Wallace Hume Carothers Laboratory Notebooks, 1928-1937

Inventor Name Carothers, Wallace Hume

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

American Iron and Steel Institute Library Historical Files, 1768-1986

Inventor Name Unknown

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

David Thomas Papers, 1839-1843

Inventor Name Thomas, David

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Archibald Johnston Papers, 1894-1923

Inventor Name Unknown

Logo for the Modern Inventors Documentation database, showing a stylized head with words like creativity and innovation written on different parts of the brain
Archives

Arthur E. Pew Papers, 1931-1951

Inventor Name Pew, Arthur E.

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  • Agriculture and horticulture (Relevance: 5.0687285223368%)
  • Air and space (Relevance: 7.1735395189003%)
  • Chemistry (Relevance: 3.0927835051546%)
  • Food and drink (Relevance: 2.9639175257732%)
  • Industry and manufacturing (Relevance: 7.4312714776632%)
  • Maritime (Relevance: 3.0927835051546%)
  • Medicine, health, and life sciences (Relevance: 4.5103092783505%)
  • Military technology (Relevance: 3.5223367697595%)
  • Mining and drilling (Relevance: 3.8659793814433%)
  • Patents and trademarks (Relevance: 11.941580756014%)
  • Photography, film, television, and video (Relevance: 3.2646048109966%)
  • Power generation, motors, and engines (Relevance: 3.6512027491409%)
  • Research and development (Relevance: 3.0068728522337%)
  • Telegraph, telephone, and telecommunications (Relevance: 3.393470790378%)
  • Textiles and clothing (Relevance: 2.9209621993127%)
  • Transportation (Relevance: 6.1426116838488%)
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