Industrial drawings convince. By allowing viewers to imagine a building or machine before it is built, drawings make the idea seem real and viable. Gone are the tentative lines of conceptual drawings. With their straight lines, careful shading, and right angles, these images make the technology appear almost inevitable.
Most of these drawings in this section of the exhibition were produced for presentation, either as submissions in competitions or to show potential or existing clients. The posters and product materials also visually confirm a product's appropriateness and desirability.
Alpha Portland Cement Co.
Alpha âThe Guaranteed Portlandâ Cement Company, How to Use It
Easton, Pennsylvania: 1917.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View Alpha âThe Guaranteed Portlandâ Cement Company, How to Use It |
Everett Huckel Bickley (1888-1972)
Various Devices from 1930s - 1940s
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania: 1930s - 1940s.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
More Views Red eye signal device, late 1930s-early 1940s |
C. Potter Jr. & Co.
C. Potter Jr. & Co. Manufacturers of Power Printing Presses and Steam Engines
New York, New York: 1877.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View C. Potter Jr. & Co. Manufacturers of Power Printing Presses and Steam Engines |
Matt Capozzi ; and Nathan Connolly
Accessible Snowboard Collection
Hampshire, Massachusetts: 1996.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
More Views Accessible Snowboard, first concept drawing, 1996 |
Elto Outboard Motor Company
Super-Elto
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 1927.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View The Super-Elto |
Enterprise Oil Burners
Enterprise Oil Burners for Perfect Combustion
San Francisco: 1931.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View Enterprise Oil Burners for Perfect Combustion |
Evans Dual-purpose Streamlined Auto-Railers
Evans Dual-purpose Streamlined Auto-Railers
Detroit, Michigan: 1930s.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View Evans Dual-purpose Streamlined Auto-Railers |
Faesch & Piccard
125,000-HP hydraulic scheme for Niagara Falls
1890.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View 125,000-HP hydraulic scheme for Niagara Falls, 1890 |
Faesch & Piccard were no newcomers to the hydroelectric industry, having already built a number of facilities in Europe. Although their overall plan was not adopted, they did receive the contract to construct the massive 5,000-horsepower waterwheels that powered the project.
Farrell-Cheek Steel Co.
Finest Steel Circular Products for Industry
Sandusky, Ohio: 1940s.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View Farrell-Cheek Steel Co., Finest Steel Circular Products for Industry |
Hendey Machine Tools
Hendey Machine Tools, catalog cover
Torrington, Connecticut: about 1936.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Hendey Machine Tools, catalog cover |
Henry Dreyfuss Associates
Presentation boards for Singer sewing machine handle
New York, New York: 1977.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Presentation boards for Singer sewing machine handle, 1977 |
Henry Dreyfuss Associates was hired for a variety of Singer projects. These drawings show one of three options the firm created for a sewing machine handle.
Holly Manufacturing Company
Cross-compound pumping machine
1897.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Cross-compound pumping machine, 1897 |
Hollyâs system provided domestic water supply and fire protection from the same pipes. Contrary to the practice of the period, Holly did not use separate mains, nor was water kept at the ready in reservoirs or standpipes. His powerful engines pumped water from its source directly into the mains. Engines and pumps adjusted automatically to meet the increased water requirements of the fire service side of the system; when the emergency was over, they resumed supplying a lower volume.
This drawing is part of a set for a proposed pumping engine in Baltimore, Maryland. Finely drawn and shaded, the rendering no doubt made a good impression, helping to convince the city that the firm knew what it was doing.
Kalamazoo Tank & Silo Co.
Kalamazoo Tank & Silo Co.
Kalamazoo, Michigan: 1909.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View Kalamazoo Tank & Silo Co. |
Lockwood, Greene & Co.
Hydroelectric generating plant, Columbia Mills Company
Columbia, South Carolina: 1894.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Hydroelectric generating plant, Columbia Mills Company, Columbia, South Carolina, 1894 |
George S. Morison
Proposal for an "American Tower"
1891.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Proposal for an âAmerican Tower,â 1891 |
Then George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. (1859-1896), a relatively obscure civil engineer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, submitted his winning design. His revolving Ferris wheel has thrilled millions of fair-goers for more than a century.
Pratt, Read and Company
Piano action
Deep River, Connecticut: 1906.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Piano action, 1906 |
This drawing of an upright piano action may have been used to demonstrate to potential purchasers the complexity and quality of the product.
Earl Silas Tupper (1907-1983)
Paint pot from "Invention Diary and Sketchbook"
Leominster, Massachusetts: 1939.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Paint pot from âInvention Diary and Sketchbook,â 1939 |
Warren and Wetmore/Reed and Stem
Proposed elevation for Grand Central Terminal Station
New York, New York: 1904-1905.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
More Views Proposed elevation for Grand Central Terminal Station, Vanderbilt Avenue, 1905 (detail) |
Plans for the new Grand Central Terminal Station underwent many changes between 1903, when construction commenced, and 1913, when the building opened for business. Each design modification was drawn and studied with countless revisions as work on the monumental structure progressed. These drawings represent two of the many steps along the way to the final design.
Willis J. Perkins & Co.
Improved Shingle Machinery
Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1880s.
Images courtesy Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Closer View Willis J. Perkins & Co., Improved Shingle Machinery |
Witherby, Rugg and Richardson
Broadside
Worcester, Massachusetts: probably 1860s.
Images courtesy National Museum of American History, Behring Center
Closer View Broadside, probably 1860s |