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• April 23, 1929
• Collections - Artifact

Elinor Smith after Record-Breaking Women's Endurance Flight, 1929

Elinor Smith took her first flight at age six and earned a pilot's license at 16. She made headlines flying under New York City bridges in 1928, but more serious pursuits earned Smith a series of endurance, speed, and altitude records for a female pilot. Smith piloted an airplane for the last time in 2001, at the age of 89.

• December 19, 1960
• Collections - Artifact

Life Magazine for December 19, 1960, "The Kennedys and Their Son at Christening"

Americans were enchanted by the young John F. Kennedy family and they wanted to know more, always more. Photographs of any members of the Kennedy family sold magazines but the kids often stole the show. This Life magazine cover story featured the christening of John F. Kennedy, Jr., born November 25, 1960, just weeks after his father's presidential election.

• August 11, 1909
• Collections - Artifact

Radio Headphones Used by Theodore Haubner While Transmitting the First "SOS" Distress Signal, August 11, 1909

In 1909, telegraph operator Theodore Haubner sent the first American ship-to-shore wireless distress signal -- SOS. These headphones were part of his wireless equipment. Haubner was aboard the SS Arapahoe off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, when it became disabled.

• February 15, 1926
• Collections - Artifact

Handstamp for First Commercial Contract Air Mail, February 15, 1926

When regularly scheduled air mail service began in 1918, the United States Post Office operated the various routes itself. These flights were intended to prove the safety and reliability of air service, and ultimately to encourage private contractors to take over the operations. Henry Ford was an early contract bidder and, in January 1926, he was awarded the Detroit-Chicago route.

• 1904
• Collections - Artifact

1904 Packard Model L Touring Car

James Ward Packard built his first car in Warren, Ohio, in 1899. By 1903 a group of Detroit investors had purchased the company and moved the operation to a new factory in Detroit. One of the first cars built there was the Model L touring car. It was the first four-cylinder Packard and the first with the tombstone-shaped radiator shell that became a Packard trademark.

• 1920-1940
• Collections - Artifact

Character Doll, Martha Washington, 1920-1940

• February 09, 1920
• Collections - Artifact

First Fordson Tractor Built at the Ford Motor Company St. Louis Assembly Plant, September 2, 1920

• 1973-1974
• Collections - Artifact

Transceiver, Section of the Original Ethernet, 1973-1974

This is a section of the original Ethernet, developed by Bob Metcalfe and David Boggs at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in 1973. PARC was a center of innovation; this pioneering internetworking architecture was developed to connect (PARC-developed) personal computers to (PARC-developed) laser printers. Ethernet has changed business and home computing and has reigned for thirty years as a global standard.

• circa 1892
• Collections - Artifact

Automatic Switch Company Motor Starter, Used by the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, circa 1892

• July 04, 1961
• Collections - Artifact

Look Magazine for July 4, 1961, "What You Don't Know about Jacqueline Kennedy"

President John F. Kennedy's wife Jacqueline proved to be a huge political asset. Her charm, grace, and intelligence won over many a critic and her appearance on the front of a magazine was sure to attract attention and increase sales. This Look magazine cover image was considered the "Official White House Portrait" of the First Lady.