Many cultures believe rattles can help frighten away evil spirits as well as entertain. Baby rattles may have developed as a result of this belief, not only as an entertainment toy for the baby, but also to provide protection. This silver rattle...
Balances (Weighing instruments); Scientific apparatus and instruments; 1940s; Marian College (Indianapolis, Ind.); Indiana
This kind of scale is called an analytical balance. It was used in a laboratory to “weigh” objects (it actually measures the mass) and is very precise. The doors are there to keep away dust and air currents that may change the results of the...
Bathing suits; Clothing and dress; Popular cultures; Costume -- History -- 20th century; Nineteen sixties
Would you want to wear a paper swimsuit? The ultimate disposable in our throw-away society, paper clothing was all the rage in the late 1960s. Even though many users felt that the paper was itchy, the clothing never needing to be cleaned you simply...
Cameras; Photography; Polaroid Land Camera; 1950s; Land, Edwin Herbert, 1909-
Before digital cameras, Edwin Land invented a way see the picture right after snapping the picture. His daughter inspired him by asking why she couldn’t see the picture right away. He created a way to develop film inside the camera in the late...
China; China -- History -- Han dynasty, 202 B.C.-220 A.D.; Lions; Lions in art; Sculpture
Chinese lions may not look much like actual lions from Africa, but they share many characteristics with mythical lions found in folklore traditions around the world. According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck,...
China; China -- History; China -- social life and customs; Folk dancing, Chinese; Lions; Dance; Costume; Headgear; Chinese New Year
According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck, most likely because of their size, strength and fierce nature. Chinese lions are depicted as very colorful and stylized. This mask is a smaller version of a full-sized...
China; Folk art--China; Paper work; Paper sculpture; Decoration and ornament- China; Paper work--China; China--Social life and customs; Chinese New Year
The art of making decorative papercuts has a long history in China. It developed soon after the invention of paper during the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C. - A.D. 8). Chinese papercuts are completely hand-cut using only scissors and engraving...
A container for sugar and one for cream make up this Depression Glass creamer set. The term "Depression Glass" refers to American-manufactured transparent glassware made between the 1920s through 1945, encompassing the years of the Great...
Dolls; toys; Japan; Dolls -- Japan; Japan -- Social life and customs; International relations; Cultural relations
In 1927, children in the United States sent over 12,000 dolls, with voices that said mama," to Japanese school children as a gesture of friendship. Japan responded by sending Miss Shimane and her sisters as a thank you. First, a national...
The ultimate disposable in our throw-away society, the paper dress was all the rage in 1966-67. It didn't need to be cleaned; after a few wears, you simply threw it away & bought a new one. The first ones cost $1.25. Helen Griffith wore this...
This 1970s popularized version Frankenstein’s monster is inspired by the 1918 novel Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly. The monster, brought to life by Victor Frankenstein, appears in numerous movies, comic books, and even a few...
Grasshoppers; Insects; Secernentea; Grasshoppers -- Malaysia
This giant grasshopper comes from Malaysia. It uses it’s size, about five inches for males, to scare away predators. Along with size, the Phasmid has many small spines on its legs and thorax to make it look even scarier. The small wings compared...
For women in the 1930s, a visit to the beauty parlor was a chance to get away from home, to socialize, and to hear the latest gossip. Beauty salons offered job and management opportunities for women. By 1938, there were an estimated 70,000 shops in...
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901; Political collectibles; Campaign paraphernalia; Buttons; Presidents -- United States; Indiana; Indiana -- History; Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1888; Souvenirs (Keepsakes)
Benjamin Harrison and Levi Morton represented the Republican Party in the 1888 Presidential election. The campaign gave away banners, buttons, ribbons and bandanas like this one to inspire voters to vote for them. In swing states Indiana and New...
Holidays -- Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; All Souls' Day; All Souls' Day -- Mexico; Saints; Mexico -- Religious life and customs; Christian art and symbolism
When the Conquistadors, 16th-century Spanish explorers who came to the New World, arrived in the Americas, they brought with them many of the traditions of Spain, especially those having to do with religion. It was customary in Colonial homes to...
Holidays -- Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; All Souls' Day; Skeletons; Sculpture; Aztecs; Aztecs -- Religion; Aztecs -- Social life and customs
This skeleton, dressed in the clothing and accessories of an Aztec warrior, honors the roots of the Mexican celebration, El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This unique celebration grew from the blending of Aztec beliefs about death with...
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indianapolis, Ind.); Indianapolis Speedway Race; Sports journalism--United States
For many years, the Indianapolis 500 radio network broadcast booth and the timing and scoring crews were housed in a Japanese-style Pagoda. Newspaper reporters needed a special badge to enter the Pagoda. From the Pagoda, reporters watched the race...
Indianapolis Speedway Race; Board games; Games; Automobile Racing; Automobile Racing -- Indiana -- Indianapolis
Can you hear the roar of the engines? Can you feel the wind the cars whip around the curve just in front of your eyes? Cars have been racing in the Indianapolis 500 since 1911. With games like this 1930s Speedway Motor Race board game, players...
Indians of North America; Cherokee Indians; Cherokee Indians -- Social life and customs; Baskets; Cherokee baskets; Implements, utensils, etc.
This traditional Cherokee winnowing basket is for food preparation and is usually included in a set with a sieve, or food sifter, and a tray. The winnowing basket was used to separate grains from their husks. The woman would toss the grains over...
Jammu and Kashmir (India); Houseboats; Boats and boating; Boats and boating -- Models
This boat model is from Kashmir, in the far north of India. A houseboat like this might have belonged to Maharajah (Indian royalty). The main boat is fitted with furnishings to make the occupants comfortable. The small boat that follows houses the...
