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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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82 results for: Aerospace

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Image of Sewing machine used at Boeing during WWII

Sewing machine used at Boeing during WWII

This sewing machine was used in Boeing Plant 2 during the Second World War. The donor’s grandmother Alice Baum Hudson used it during the war and then for decades afterwards until Boeing closed down their sewing shops. This was Hudson’s favorite machine, so when Boeing sold the machines at auction she purchased this one to use at home. Sewers at…
ID Number:2022.16.1
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Teamsters nametag for Betty Kugland with pins attached, ca. 1970s-1980s

Teamsters nametag for Betty Kugland with pins attached, ca. 1970s-1980s

Elizabeth “Betty” Kugland worked at Boeing in the sewing shop during WWII. She continued after the war and became a member of the United Garment Workers Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of America. Sewers at Boeing worked on fabric interior parts of the airplanes such as heavy Naugahyde for seats.
ID Number:2022.16.2
Date:Circa 1970-1990
Image of United Garment Workers keychain belonging to Betty Kugland, ca. 1970s-1980s

United Garment Workers keychain belonging to Betty Kugland, ca. 1970s-1980s

Elizabeth “Betty” Kugland worked at Boeing in the sewing shop during WWII. She continued after the war and became a member of the United Garment Workers Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of America. Sewers at Boeing worked on fabric interior parts of the airplanes such as heavy Naugahyde for seats.
ID Number:2022.16.3
Date:Circa 1970-1990
Image of NASA flight suit worn by Bill Nye, ca. 1997

NASA flight suit worn by Bill Nye, ca. 1997

Bill Nye (b. 1955) wore NASA jumpsuit in the “Space Exploration” episode of his groundbreaking science education TV show “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” The right shoulder has a “Teacher in Space” patch, which is a program started in 1984 with the aim of honoring educators and inspiring students about space exploration. The program was discontinued in 1990 following the…
ID Number:2024.39.6
Date:Circa 1997
Image of Brown wool shop coat from REI used by Bill Nye, 1980s

Brown wool shop coat from REI used by Bill Nye, 1980s

Bill Nye (b. 1955) grew up in Washington D.C. and studied mechanical engineering at Cornell University. He moved to Seattle to work for Boeing and later Sundstrand Data Control. As an engineer, he needed practical and protective clothing when he would visit the shop and work hands-on with the machinery. This is one of the shop coats he used at…
ID Number:2024.39.15
Date:Circa 1980
Image of Bill Nye's nameplate from Sundstrand, early 1980s

Bill Nye's nameplate from Sundstrand, early 1980s

Bill Nye (b. 1955) moved to Seattle in 1977 to work as an engineer, first at Boeing and later for Sundstrand Data Control in Redmond. Sundstrand built parts for the aircraft industry, as well as other kinds of industrial gear drives, pumps, and compressors. While working for Sundstrand, Nye was also exploring stand-up comedy and had some guest appearances on…
ID Number:2024.39.34
Date:Circa 1980-1986
Image of Two (2) Mars Dial prototypes from the Bill Nye collection, 1998

Two (2) Mars Dial prototypes from the Bill Nye collection, 1998

In 1998, Bill Nye (b. 1955) convinced NASA to add a sundial to their future Martian rover. Nye asked University of Washington astronomer Woody Sullivan and machinist Larry Stark to work with Nye's alma mater Cornell University to design and build the first extraterrestrial sundial, dubbed the "MarsDial," for two NASA rovers that landed on Mars in January 2004. The…
ID Number:2024.39.41
Date:Circa 1990
Image of Blue shop coat modified and worn by Bill Nye, 1980s

Blue shop coat modified and worn by Bill Nye, 1980s

Bill Nye (b. 1955) grew up in Washington D.C. and studied mechanical engineering at Cornell University. He moved to Seattle to work for Boeing and later Sundstrand Data Control and other local companies. As an engineer, he needed practical and protective clothing when he would visit the shop and work hands-on with the machinery. This is one of the shop…
ID Number:2024.39.Ref01
Date:Circa 1980
Image of Inclinometer

Inclinometer "trophy" from Sundstrand, 1980s

Bill Nye (b. 1955) moved to Seattle in 1977 to work as an engineer, first at Boeing and later for Sundstrand Data Control in Redmond. Sundstrand built parts for the aircraft industry, as well as other kinds of industrial gear drives, pumps, and compressors. While working for Sundstrand, Nye was also exploring stand-up comedy and had some guest appearances on…
ID Number:2024.39.Ref05
Date:Circa 1980-1989
Image of SPEEA strike sign,

SPEEA strike sign, " No Nerds, No Birds," 2000

On February 9, 2000, more than 17,000 engineers and technicians from the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) walked out of Boeing plants across the country. Organized in 1946, SPEEA is an affiliated local union of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), AFL-CIO, and this was the first major strike for the engineers' organization. After…
ID Number:2025.SPEEA.1
Date:2000
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