259 results for: Innovation and Invention
First polar fleece jacket made from recycled bottles, 1993
Plastic bottles contain the same chemical content as polyester. Local manufacturers started using polyester from recycled plastic for fleece clothing in 1993. They sent early prototypes like this one to outdoor adventurers for testing. The material in this jacket was made from 26 recycled plastic beverage bottles.
ID Number:2005.12.1
Date:1993
The NORDIpenmate, a medicinal delivery device from Zymogenetics, 1999
ZymoGenetics, established in Seattle in 1981, was one of the oldest biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the US. It was founded by two University of Washington professors. The company was located on Lake Union until it was closed in 2019 after being acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb.
ID Number:2005.26.5
Date:2000
Chrome-plated sign for KRSC TV, first television station in Seattle, established in 1948
This sign appeared on the first television broadcast in Seattle on Thanksgiving Day in November, 1948, for a high school football game at Memorial Stadium.
ID Number:2005.47.1
Date:Circa 1948
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Diploma and Grand Prize ribbon awarded to Smith Cannery Machines Co. for the "Iron Chink" fish cleaning machine, 1909
The Smith Cannery Machine Company invented the world's first fish cleaning machine and was awarded the Grand Prize at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle in 1909. The nickname for the machine, "Iron Chink," illustrates the derogative attitude towards Chinese immigrant laborers the machine was intended to replace.
ID Number:2005.52.1
Date:1909
Exercycle stationary bicycle, ca. 1958
One of the first electric exercise machines available for purchase, Dr. and Mrs. John F. Tolan bought the bike from Exercycle in Seattle. The Tolans had lived in Seattle since 1938 and Dr. Tolan was the Head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at the Virginia Mason Clinic until he retired in 1965. They used this as their home…
ID Number:2005.53.1
Date:Circa 1958
Model 102 VAW meter shunts, ca. 1952
The VAW (Volts, Amps, Watts) meter is the first product manufactured by John M. Fluke, Sr., who founded what is now Fluke Corporation. He was granted a patent for the instrument in 1947 and founded his business in the basement of his home in Springdale, Connecticut, the following year. This particular instrument was manufactured in Seattle after Fluke, a Seattle…
ID Number:2006.50.2
Date:Circa 1952
First generation 512K Macintosh computer, Model M0001, ca. 1984-1986, owned by Ric Weiland, one of the Microsoft's first employees
Mr. Weiland was one of Microsoft's first five employees and a philanthropist, serving on the Pride Foundation's Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Weiland worked as a programmer at Microsoft from 1975 to 1988, also attending Harvard Business School during that time. He was a lead programmer and developer for the BASIC and COBOL products, and worked as…
ID Number:2007.9.1
Date:Circa 1984-1986
Atari 800 personal computer, ca. 1979, owned by Ric Weiland, one of the Microsoft's first employees
Mr. Weiland was one of Microsoft's first five employees and a philanthropist, serving on the Pride Foundation's Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Weiland worked as a programmer at Microsoft from 1975 to 1988, also attending Harvard Business School during that time. He was a lead programmer and developer for the BASIC and COBOL products, and worked as…
ID Number:2007.9.2
Date:Circa 1979
Atari 810 disk drive, ca. 1980, owned by Ric Weiland, one of Microsoft's first employees
Mr. Weiland was one of Microsoft's first five employees and a philanthropist, serving on the Pride Foundation's Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Weiland worked as a programmer at Microsoft from 1975 to 1988, also attending Harvard Business School during that time. He was a lead programmer and developer for the BASIC and COBOL products, and worked as…
ID Number:2007.9.3
Date:Circa 1980
Atari 850 interface module, ca. 1980, owned by Ric Weiland, one of Microsoft's first employees
Mr. Weiland was one of Microsoft's first five employees and a philanthropist, serving on the Pride Foundation's Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Weiland worked as a programmer at Microsoft from 1975 to 1988, also attending Harvard Business School during that time. He was a lead programmer and developer for the BASIC and COBOL products, and worked as…
ID Number:2007.9.4
Date:Circa 1980