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Philadelphia Water Department records and collection on Fairmount Water Works, 1801-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:

6.33 linear feet

Abstract:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first city in the United States to provide water as a public utility and was known for its advances in water distribution technology, such as using a centralized distribution system and employing the use of hydropower for pumps. The Philadelphia Water Department (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) traces its roots to 1799 when the Joint Committee on Supplying the City with Water (known as the Watering Committee) was established by the city council in response to pressure from the city's residents to provide them with clean water for drinking, fire fighting, and cleansing the streets following a series of yellow fever epidemics. The Fairmount Water Works (FWW), Philadelphia's second water works, began operating in 1815 and remained in use until 1909. Regarded as a significant achievement in civil engineering, FWW was also an important Philadelphia landmark and tourist attraction. In the early twenty-first century, Philadelphia operates three water...(see more)

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Midvale Steel Company records, 1920-1978 (bulk) 1873-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:

20.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Midvale Steel was originally established in the Nicetown neighborhood of North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1867 by William Butcher under the name Butcher Steel Works. Renamed Midvale Steel Works in 1873, it was one of the main steel suppliers to the United States military from 1875 through World War II and was also where Frederick Taylor developed his theory of scientific management. The Nicetown plant closed in 1976. Midvale Steel Company records, 1873-1978 (bulk 1920-1978), consist of photographs, glass plate negatives, scrapbooks, and printed matter from or relating to Midvale Steel. There is a small amount of manuscript materials, including a company activity log book, 1876-1889, and a notebook from Charles Brinley, 1873.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute manuscript collection, 1762-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:

40.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most significant science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute manuscript collection, 1762-2003, includes small groups (less than 1 linear foot each) of papers of scientists, inventors, science-oriented groups and organizations, industrial businesses, and others in the scientific community, as well as other science and engineering related materials.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Water Department lantern slides, circa 1885-1925

Extent:

5.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first city in the United States to provide water as a public utility and was known for its advances in water distribution technology, such as using a centralized distribution system and employing the use of hydropower for pumps. The Philadelphia Water Department (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) traces its roots to 1799 when the Joint Committee on Supplying the City with Water (known as the Watering Committee) was established by the city council in response to pressure from the city's residents to provide them with clean water for drinking, fire fighting, and cleansing the streets following a series of yellow fever epidemics. The Philadelphia Water Department lantern slides, circa 1885-1925, consist of two hundred and ninety-four lantern slides depicting images of documents, machinery, and other subjects related to the Water Department's research and operations.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Charles R. Pancoast lantern slides, late 19th century-early 20th century

Extent:

16.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Charles R. Pancoast (1854-1931) was a photographer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania active from the 1870s to 1922. In his shop, Pancoast developed his own photographs as well as those of other photographers. He enjoyed traveling and captured many images from foreign locations. Charles R. Pancoast lantern slides, late 19th century-early 20th century, consist of over twelve hundred slides taken by Pancoast in Philadelphia and during his travels throughout the North America, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Walter A. R. Pertuch lantern slides, circa 1894-1902

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Walter A. R. Pertuch (1888-1976) worked in the library at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for fifty-five years, serving as the Institute's librarian from 1940 to 1959. He was an amateur photographer and photograph collector. Walter A. R. Pertuch lantern slides, circa 1894-1902, consist of approximately sixty-seven images depicting street and river scenes, buildings, and other images of Philadelphia, as well as images of the Pertuch family and others in Philadelphia and pictures of the family and scenery at Holly Beach, New Jersey (which was incorporated into Wildwood, NJ in 1912).

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Howard Pusey lantern slides, circa 1884-1909

Extent:

10.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Howard Pusey lantern slides, circa 1884-1909, consist of over six hundred images depicting various locations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East. The images are primarily of scenery, buildings, and sculpture, but there are some portraits and other images featuring people.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Welsbach Gas Light Company lantern slides, postcards, and bulletins, circa 1890-1911

Extent:

13.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Welsbach Gas Light Company was in operation in Gloucester City, Camden County, New Jersey from the late 1890s through 1940. The company had the exclusive manufacturing and selling rights for the Welsbach mantle, an incandescent gas mantle used for street lamps, invented by Austrian scientist and inventor Carl Auer von Welsbach (1858-1929). Welsbach Gas Light Company lantern slides, postcards, and bulletins, circa 1890-1911, consist of images showing the production of gas mantles and fixtures, various rooms in the Gloucester City factory and laboratory, and employees; a series of postcards, 1908, showing black and white images of the factory, its equipment and laboratories, and its employees at work; and company bulletins.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Carolyn J. Swartz lantern slide collection, late 19th century-early 20th century

Extent:

2.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Carolyn J. Swartz lantern slide collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of approximately one hundred and twenty-six images depicting paintings and other artworks; images from Mercer County, NJ; travel/tourist scenes from California, Virginia, and other places; and other images. Several of the images are published, but there are some original images, possibly taken by Thomas H. Hibbert. The published images are from the Victor Animatograph Company, based in Davenport, Iowa.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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F. Lynwood Garrison metallography photomicrographic glass plates, circa 1885

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Frank Lynwood Garrison (1862-1951) was a mining engineer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who is best known for his research relating to the structural composition of iron and steel and establishing the science of metallography in the United States in 1886. F. Lynwood Garrison metallography photomicrographic glass plates, circa 1885, consist of approximately one hundred and ten glass plates depicting the composition of iron and steel. One image is of his camera and microscope apparatus.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute aviation lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute aviation lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of over sixty lantern slides depicting early forms of flight, including monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, balloons, and various forms of airships (including zeppelins). Also depicted are aerodromes.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Journal of The Franklin Institute lantern slides, 1881-1921 (inclusive)

Extent:

3.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. Journal of The Franklin Institute lantern slides, 1881-1921, consist of about two hundred and fifty lantern slides depicting images used during lectures at the Franklin Institute that were based on articles published in the Journal of The Franklin Institute.

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute daguerreotype collection, circa 1840-1860

Extent:

2.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute daguerreotype collection, circa 1840-1860, consists of twenty-seven daguerreotypes. Most of the images are of individuals, but there are images of scenery as well. Of special interest in the collection are two images from Philadelphia physician and photographic pioneer, Dr. Paul Beck Goddard and one image attributed to Louis J. M. Daguerre.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Elihu Thomson scrapbook, lantern slides, and photographs, circa 1890-1930

Extent:

3.75 linear feet

Abstract:

Elihu Thomson (1853-1937) was an English-born American electrical engineer and inventor active in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was co-founder of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, which merged with Edison General Electric Company in 1892 to establish General Electric Company. Elihu Thomson scrapbook, lantern slides, and photographs, circa 1890-1930, consist of materials relating to Thomson's time at General Electric, as well as images of various types of lighting fixtures, images of Thomson and his inventions, and other materials.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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American Temperance Society lantern slides, circa 1880-1920

Extent:

1.5 linear feet

Abstract:

The American Temperance Society, also known as the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance, was established in 1826 in Boston, Massachusetts. It was the first formal national temperance movement in the United States. The American Temperance Society and other temperance movements would hold events and write literature warning people of the dangers of alcohol. American Temperance Society lantern slides, circa 1880-1920, consist of approximately ninety lantern slides, including slides that depict the sad stories of those who give in to the temptation of drinking alcohol, as well as slides of temperance related poems, sheet music, and cartoons. Many of the stories and other slides were intended to inspire guilt among those feeling tempted by alcohol.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Franklin Institute records, 1824-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:

1225.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Franklin Institute records, 1824-2016, consist of administrative and financial records, membership materials, files from various departments and committees at The Franklin Institute, property records and materials relating to the Institute's building, photographs and audiovisual materials, publications, marketing materials, ephemera, and other materials.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Wynn Laurence LePage papers, 1857-1869, 1929-1974

Extent:

7.42 linear feet

Abstract:

Wynn Laurence LePage (1902-1985) was an aeronautical engineer, well-known for having a major influence on the development of the autogiro and the helicopter by designing rotary wings. Together, LePage and Haviland Hull Platt, established the Platt-LePage Aircraft Company, which produced the first helicopter officially acquired by the United States Army Air Forces (XR-1) during World War II. The Wynn Laurence LePage papers, 1857-1869, 1929-1974, contain reports on the XR-1 and XR-1A helicopters, correspondence, notes, awards, lectures, newspaper clippings, photographs, a couple of scrapbooks, and objects.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Henry R. Heyl papers, 1876-1917 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.25 linear feet

Abstract:

Henry Renno Heyl (1842-1919) was an inventor active in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Heyl was a longtime member of The Franklin Institute and is best known for creating the phasmatrope, an early simulation of moving pictures, and receiving the first United States patent for a stapler. Henry R. Heyl papers, 1876-1917, consist of numerous patents, drawings and explanations of Heyl's inventions. There is a large amount of materials pertaining to his paper milk bottle and wire book sewing machine inventions. Also included are some photographs and a glass plate negative, a scrapbook, correspondence, graphs, diagrams and blueprints, notes, reports, notebooks, manuals, and books.

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Thomas H. Hibbert lantern slides, circa 1890s-1900s

Extent:

5.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Thomas H. Hibbert lived in Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. The Thomas H. Hibbert lantern slides, circa 1890s-1900s, consist of approximately two hundred and eighty-six lantern slides. The images depict scenery, buildings, bridges, and other outdoor images from various areas in the United States.

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute travel lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century

Extent:

8.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most significant science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute travel lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of images that depict a variety of locations, including several places in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Chile, Asia, and the Philippines. The images are primarily of scenery and buildings, but subjects such as war vessels, ships, and railroads are also depicted.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]