The anvil and
blacksmith's tools represent one of the traditional forms and
uses of iron.
Smithsonian Photo #88-1546.
A 19th-Century anvil and blacksmith's tools.
The anvil and
blacksmith's tools represent one of the traditional forms and
uses of iron.
Smithsonian Photo #88-1546.
This aluminum fan
was made for display at the Paris Exposition of 1867
when aluminum was still a rare and precious material. It is decorated
with pictures of the queens of Europe as well as scenes of the
assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the pursuit of the assassins.
Smithsonian Photo.
A powder horn, 1762.
Made of a cowhorn and leather.
Smithsonian Photo.
A 1946 Model-A Jukebox from AMI.
As shown
here, plastics such as transparent acrylic and colorful acetate
gave a whole new dimension to jukeboxes.
Smithsonian Photo #87-8960.
The
Observation Car sign
from the famous American train the "20th Century
Limited". Made of cast aluminum and glass in 1938. It is lit with bright
magenta showing through the glass against a black background to better
show its construction.
Smithsonian Photo.
A group of
mortars and pestles
showing the variety of materials from which
they are made. Used to grind everything from grain to herbs, the mortar and
pestle have distinctive shapes. Materials used to make them include: wood,
cast iron, glass, alabaster, agate, porcelain, marble, bell metal, brass,
and lava stone.
Smithsonian Photo.
A group of
19th and 20th Century smoking pipes demonstrating the variety of
materials from which they are made. Materials shown here include: clay,
bakelite, deer horn, pewter and rubber.
Smithsonian Photo.
Nine revolvers
The revolver
was a rarity until Colt and others made a reliable weapon. The barrel and
firing mechanisms are steel. The grips are made from a variety of
materials: plastic, hard rubber, ivory, etc., depending on the maker,
status and wealth of the owner.
Smithsonian Photo.