EEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1915. 15 



arms the collection is the most complete in this country. Among 

 measuring devices, watch movements are especially to be noted. 

 Land transportation is illustrated from the primitive forms, mostly 

 shown by models, to the highly specialized methods of the present 

 time, noteworthy features of the series being the first locomotive 

 brought to this country, the application of eiectricitj'^, and the inven- 

 tion of the gasoline automobile, of which the Museum possesses the 

 first machine. The earliest successful experiments with the aero- 

 drome are most effectively represented by examples of the Langley 

 model forms which made actual flights, and by the first aeroplane 

 purchased and used by any government. In marine navigation the 

 primitive and early stages are well shown, as are also the beginnings 

 of the use of steam and the development of sailing craft in this 

 country down to a period of some 30 years ago. But the above fails 

 to give anything like an adequate idea of the variety of invention in 

 all the various fields covered by human ingenuity which are demon- 

 strated by the collections of the division. 



Among the recently reorganized divisions are those of textiles and 

 mineral technology, which are being built up on entirely new lines. 

 For the former much of the material which had been in storage was 

 found to be not only still presentable, but also of much historical 

 significance. For the latter there was practically nothing from the 

 old collections that could be used. Under the division of textiles 

 have likewise been included, whether temporarily or permanently 

 future circumstances will determine, several of the most important 

 of the world's industries, having more or less close relations with 

 the main subject from the nature of the substances involved, con- 

 sisting of such animal and vegetable products as are not specifically 

 assignable elsewhere in the Museum classification. Wood technology 

 is one of these, offering a very wide field for educational presenta- 

 tion. Foodstuff's, which result from and give rise to the greatest of 

 all industries, form another, and after these come miscellaneous 

 products, such as skins, furs, feathers, ivory and bone, pearl and 

 sponges, in endless number and variety. In the first of these divisions 

 attention has thus far been almost wholly directed to the develop- 

 ment of the textile collections which are already very rich in manu- 

 factured, and to some extent in hand made, products in every line 

 and in every character of fiber, both native and foreign. It is the 

 purpose to show the origin of the natural products, as the making 

 of the silk cocoon, the growth of cotton and the taking of wool from 

 the sheep, and thence to demonstrate each step in the process of spin- 

 ning, weaving, coloring and decorating down to the finished fabric, 

 and even to the garment ready for wear and utilization in other 

 ways. Besides samples of standard goods and of everj'- class of 



