A Museum Case History: The Department of Science and Technology of the United States Museum of History and Technology

Abstract

The United States had its genesis in amalgamation in 1857 of small collection of young Smithsonian Institution, chiefly relating to natural history, with a cabinet of which had accumulated in Patent Office along with models which were then required of inventors. Two years later Smithsonian published a Guide to Smithsonian Institution and Museum, although name National Museum did not receive congressional sanction until 1876. The curiosities received from Patent Office (which did not include patent models) converted Smithsonian's collections into a miscellany of natural history, archeology, arts and sciences, and what have you. Included were some of most valued objects in today's of History and Technology,' including Franklin's London printing press and an example of Ddbereiner's hydropneumatic igniter (for lighting cigars!) presented to Smithsonian by Philadelphia chemist Robert Hare. An American of middle nineteenth century needed little organization. The Smithsonian allocated large rooms to apparatus, an art gallery, and to the museum which was principally devoted to natural history and ethnology. This simple organization sufficed until decision to take in an immense quantity of material (21 carloads!) remaining from Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876, a decision