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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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257 results for: Innovation and Invention

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Image of Chrome-plated sign for KRSC TV, first television station in Seattle, established in 1948

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
Image of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) Diploma and Grand Prize ribbon awarded to Smith Cannery Machines Co. for the

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
Image of Exercycle stationary bicycle, ca. 1958

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
Image of Model 102 VAW meter shunts, ca. 1952

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
Image of First generation 512K Macintosh computer, Model M0001, ca. 1984-1986, owned by Ric Weiland, one of the Microsoft's first employees

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
Image of Atari 800 personal computer, ca. 1979, owned by Ric Weiland, one of the Microsoft's first employees

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
Image of Atari 810 disk drive, ca. 1980, owned by Ric Weiland, one of Microsoft's first employees

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
Image of Atari 850 interface module, ca. 1980, owned by Ric Weiland, one of Microsoft's first employees

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
Image of Instructional model of first hydraulic cyclone built in the USA, ca. 1946

Instructional model of first hydraulic cyclone built in the USA, ca. 1946

The first hydraulic cyclone was built by Max R. Greer under the direction of Dr. H.F. Yancey soon after WWII at the Northwest Experiment Station (later Seattle Coal Research Laboratory), U.S. Bureau of Mines.
ID Number:2008.6.1
Date:Circa 1946
Image of Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam "Ten" poster, 1991

Pearl Jam, an alternative rock band, was formed in Seattle in 1990. This poster advertises the band's 1991 debut album, "Ten." Together with such bands as Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, and Nirvana, Pearl Jam was part of the grunge rock scene that was centered in Seattle in the early 1990s.
ID Number:2008.31.1
Date:1991
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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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