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Oliver Evans papers on patents, manufacturing and business matters, 1793-1818, 1900

Extent:

0.67 linear feet

Abstract:

Oliver Evans (1755-1819) was a pioneer in automation, materials handling, and steam power whose innovations gave great impetus to the Industrial Revolution in the United States. Evans was among the first Americans to recognize the advantage of combined heat and power, or cogeneration. Later in his career, much of his time was spent on patent infringement lawsuits. The Oliver Evans papers on patents, manufacturing and business matters, 1793-1818, 1900, consist primarily of correspondence, as well as legal documents relating to Oliver Evans' patent infringement cases including summons, court papers and proceedings, sworn testimony and statements, and financial records.

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

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William N. Jennings scrapbook, photographs, and negatives, 1882-1937 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Abstract:

William N. Jennings (1860-1946) was a photographer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania best known for being credited with the first successful photograph of lightning and his work in aerial photography. William N. Jennings scrapbook, photographs, and negatives, 1882-1937, consist of Jennings's scrapbook documenting his efforts to photograph lightning, including prints of the first photograph of lightning, as well as photographs, film negatives, and glass plate negatives of people at street scenes in Philadelphia, PA and nearby areas. There is also one oversized item consisting of mounted images of lightning.

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

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Frederick Graff maps, technical drawings, and plans on Philadelphia (Pa.) water engineering projects, circa 1683-1875

Extent:

2.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Frederick Graff (1775-1847) was a hydraulic engineer best known for designing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's landmark Fairmount Water Works in the 1810s. He subsequently served as consulting engineer for water works in New York, Boston, and many other cities. After Graff's death in 1847, his son, Frederick Graff, Jr. (1817-1890), took over the role of chief engineer for the Philadelphia Water Department. Frederick Graff maps, technical drawings, and plans on Philadelphia (Pa.) water engineering projects, circa 1683-1875, consist of maps, drawings, and plans related to both the elder and younger Graff's work as water engineers. Most of the materials relate to the Fairmount Water Works, but some pertain to other water engineering projects in Philadelphia.

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

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Orville and Wilbur Wright papers on aeronautical engineering, 1889-1930 (inclusive)

Extent:

8.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Brothers Orville (1871-1948) and Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) were American inventors and pioneers in the field of aviation, best known for being credited with building and flying the first successful airplane. The Orville and Wilbur Wright papers on aeronautical engineering, 1889-1930, include notebooks, data sheets, graphs, technical drawings and blueprints, photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings and other materials related to the brothers' aeronautical efforts.

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

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Harry A. Hornor lantern slides, circa 1900-1920

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Harry A. Hornor (1874-1939) was an electrical engineer who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and worked for the New York Ship Building Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. Hornor published several papers in prestigious science and engineering journals related to electrical engineering on ships. The Harry A. Hornor lantern slides, circa 1900-1920, consist of two hundred and thirty-five lantern slides depicting images of ships, as well as their construction, launches, interiors, mechanics, equipment, and other aspects. There are also images of diagrams, drawings, and schematics related to the electrical engineering aspects of ship building.

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

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J. Norman Spawn lantern slides and stereopticons, circa 1890s-early 20th century

Extent:

3.5 linear feet

Abstract:

J. Norman Spawn lantern slides and stereopticons, circa 1890s-early 20th century, consist of approximately two hundred images that depict locations in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Montana, Colorado, Canada, Italy and other places in Europe, Egypt, and other locations. Some of the images are images of drawings and other documents. Some of the images may be commercially published.

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 glass plates and lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century

Extent:

20.0 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 glass plates and lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of over two hundred images including children's story slides, travel slides, positive and negative glass plate images of the phases of the moon and an eclipse, and other images. Of special interest in this collection are several glass plate negatives created by artist Thomas Eakins depicting some of his studies of human motion, as well as some glass plate positives from Eadweard Muybridge related to his own studies of motion.

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 subject lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century

Extent:

15.0 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 subject lantern slides collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of over nine hundred lantern slides depicting various subjects. The lantern slides are a mix of published and original slides.

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

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Edwin H. Armstrong papers, 1909-1956 (inclusive)

Extent:

4.35 linear feet

Abstract:

Edwin H. Armstrong (1890-1954) was an American electrical engineer and inventor, best known for inventing the regenerative circuit, the super-regenerative circuit, the superheterodyne receiver, and FM (frequency modulation) radio. He spent much of his life battling in court over his patent rights, primarily with Lee De Forest and Radio Corporation of America, and took his own life in 1954. Edwin H. Armstrong papers, 1909-1956, consist of photographs, lecture notes, letters, certificates, published materials, programs and ephemera, materials from his memorial service, and other documents.

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 general lantern slide collection, late 19th century-mid-20th century

Extent:

36.75 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 general lantern slide collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of almost 2,500 lantern slides depicting images of and related to The Franklin Institute, as well as science and technology related images. Some of the images in the collection are on full-sized glass plates.

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