Zoetropes; Optical illusions; 19th century; Toys; Motion Pictures -- History
The zoetrope or “wheel of life” was invented in 1834 as an optical toy that creates the illusion of motion. In this zoetrope, the images of a woodchopper are placed around the inside of a simple drum with an open top. There are slots around the...
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,...
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963; Elections; Campaign insignia; Campaign paraphernalia; Nineteen sixties; Political collectibles
“Flasher pins” like this one showed two images when the pin moved from one position to another. Created for the presidential election in 1960, this one features a picture of candidate John F. Kennedy and “the man for the 1960s” on the other...
Weathervanes, often decorated with images of barnyard animals, are placed on rooftops to help make life more predictable by moving to point out the direction of the wind. When mounted on a metal lightning rod stem, they also protect buildings from...
China; China -- Social life and customs; Crickets; Insect cages
Cricket Culture in China encompasses a 2000 year history of both singing and fighting insects and can be divided into three eras. Before the Tang Dynasty (500 BC - 618 AD), people appreciated the cricket's melodic chirping in its natural habitat....
Indiana, Robert, 1928-; Pillows; Pop art; Art, Modern--20th century; Indiana; New Castle (Ind.); Artists--Indiana
Robert Indiana, along with others like Andy Warhol, was a leading artist of the Pop Art Movement of the 1960s. Born by the name Robert Clarke in 1928 in New Castle, Indiana, his bright hard-edged images in various media are shown in museums around...
Calabashes, or gourds, are the fruits of several varieties of vines. Some are planted, while others grow wild. The many different sizes and distinct shapes of calabash lend themselves to specific use. Many African cultures carve and decorate gourds...
Akan (African people); Akan (African people) -- Social life and customs; Ghana; Ghana -- Social life and customs; Stools; Furniture
Personal stools are very important among the Akan peoples of Ghana. Among the Asante (a sub-group of the Akan), there is a very special bond between a person and his/her stool. An Asante proverb states, "There are no secrets between a man and...
Incense; Incense burners and containers; Lotus; Hinduism; Hinduism -- Customs and practices
In India, incense is burned as an offering to the Hindu deities. In some households it is burned daily during certain times at the family shrine. Incense is also burned in temples and festivals to honor particular gods or goddesses. Images are...
Tin; Tinsmithing; Santa Claus; Hot air balloons; Mexico; Oaxaca (Mexico : State); Santa Claus in art; San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
Originally, gold, silver and copper were the only metals used by craftsmen in Mexico. Tin, although easily accessible, was used only sparingly as currency. Due to the influence of the Spanish following their conquest of Mexico (1519-1521), tin...
Olympics; Utah; Salt Lake City (Utah); Winter Olympic Games (19th : 2002 : Salt Lake City, Utah)
The mascots of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics represented the land and culture of Utah and the American West. Inspired by images from ancient petroglyphs, Powder the Hare, Coal the Bear and Copper the Coyote were chosen as ideal icons for...
Mayas; Mayas -- Social life and customs; Vases; Pottery; Maya Pottery
Maya civilization, spreading through southeast Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, reached its height around A.D. 300–900, known as the Classic Period. The Late Classic Period of Mayan culture produced some of the best artwork, including ceramics in...
Mayas; Mayas -- Social life and customs; Bowls (tableware); Monkeys in art; Pottery
Maya civilization, spreading through southeast Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, reached its height around A.D. 300–900, known as the Classic Period. The Late Classic Period of Mayan culture produced some of the best artwork, including ceramics in...
Following World War II, home movie cameras became affordable for families across the United States. Cameras, like this 1951 Nizo Heliomatic, captured the exploits of the Baby Boomer children. Riding bikes, tap dancing, running around the yard, the...
Nutcrackers were first mentioned as a toy as well as a useful tool for cracking nuts in the mid 18th century. By the 1830s when Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm began their dictionary of "High German," the term Nussknacker explained the figure as...
