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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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86 results for: Aerospace

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Image of Model airplane of the Boeing 2707 SST (Supersonic Transport) which was cancelled in production in 1971

Model airplane of the Boeing 2707 SST (Supersonic Transport) which was cancelled in production in 1971

Development of the Boeing 2707 Supersonic Transport, or SST, began in earnest in the early 1960s, just after the Concorde project was announced. Unfortunately, the Boeing SST project was hampered by design and environmental concerns including the issue of sonic booms and the effects on the ozone layer. These issues ultimately forced the US government to cut funding and the…
ID Number:2019.56.6
Date:Circa 1970
Image of GMSS watch, ca. 1980s-1990s

GMSS watch, ca. 1980s-1990s

This watch belonged to Louise McKinney (1930-2012) who was a part-owner of GMSS, a company which ran businesses at SeaTac Airport. In 1984 the FAA notified the Port of Seattle that SeaTac airport may not be in compliance with a federal rule that requires minorities and women to participate in business ownership at airports that receive federal funds. That year…
ID Number:2019.105.14
Date:Circa 1980-1990
Image of Employee badge for Ishaque Safi Mehdi, an engineer at Boeing from 1962-2010

Employee badge for Ishaque Safi Mehdi, an engineer at Boeing from 1962-2010

Ishaque Safi Mehdi came to the US from India in 1960. Boeing recruited Mehdi directly out of the electrical engineering program at the University of Florida in 1962. He worked there for 48 years.
ID Number:2020.21.1
Date:Circa 1962-2010
Image of Boeing employee badge for Alok Mathur, 1978

Boeing employee badge for Alok Mathur, 1978

Alok Mathur was born in New Delhi, India, in 1952 and migrated to the US in 1977. Soon after, Mathur moved to the Seattle area in 1978 to work at Boeing on the new 757/767 project. He worked for Boeing for 40 years.
ID Number:2020.Boeing.1
Date:1978
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
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MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
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Phone: 206 324 1126
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