40 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 



reasons, nothing could be done at that time, and it is only recently 

 that these subjects have been revived in accordance with the original 

 plan, as explained elsewhere on these pages. On the reorganization 

 of the Museum classification in 1897 this branch was made a division 

 entitled "technology (mechanical phases)," wdiich was altered to 

 " technology " in 1904 and to " mechanical technology " in 1912. 



While the collections in this division had become extensive and 

 diversified previous to 1900 and included most of the bulky ob- 

 jects now exhibited, their growth during the comparatively few 

 years of this century has been unusually rapid, and the acqui- 

 sitions comprise large series of exceptionally important objects. 

 The restrictions as to space, however, prevent the seeking or accept- 

 ance of nearly as much additional material as is required to elucidate 

 the several subjects here combined in a wholly satisfactory manner. 



The primary purpose of the division is to illustrate the history of 

 the beginnings and development of certain of the arts and indus- 

 tries, hereafter referred to, by the display of extensive series of origi- 

 nal specimens and models. Each series, where the material is avail- 

 able, begins with the most primitive devices employed and ascends 

 by successive steps to the most perfect modern appliances. As new 

 advances are made and higher types of mechanism are devised and 

 brought into use, additions accrue to the collections and take their 

 places in the ever-expanding historical presentation. Aside from the 

 extended exhibits illustrative of the several more important sub- 

 jects, the collections contain numerous somewhat isolated examples 

 of exceptional interest to the student of material progress. America 

 may well be proud of the record here made of the achievements of 

 her citizens. Within the period almost of a lifetime the industrial 

 processes of the world have been revolutionized by the steam engine 

 and the dynamo; the telegraph, telephone, and aeroplane; and the 

 names associated with these epoch-making inventions are already, 

 without the intervention of learned academies, inscribed with the 

 immortals. At the present time the collections occupy four halls and 

 portions of two others. They may be briefly described as follows : 



The east hall is richest in these exhibits. Here are assembled large 

 series of the original machines, instruments, devices, and apparatus, 

 with models of others in great numbers, relating to the use of steam 

 and electricity as motive powers and their application in the arts 

 and industries, besides many other groups of objects of first impor- 

 tance in the various fields of technological activity. It is difficult to 

 say which of these numerous series is of greatest interest, and the 

 visitor turns from one to another fairly dazed by the diversity and 

 intricacy of the mechanisms and by contemplation of the mys- 

 terious and powerful agencies invoked and controlled by their use. 



