38 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1956 



Modernization of the Power Hall was delayed several months by a 

 shortage of steel, but it is now nearing completion. Models of types 

 of power machinery no longer available for acquisition have been 

 constructed and a number of machines hitherto unrepresented in the 

 national collections have been acquired. 



Four of the older makes of automobiles have been refurbished 

 during the past fiscal year. The 1903 Cadillac, the 1903 Oldsmobile, 

 and the 1913 Ford were reconditioned through the courtesy of the 

 Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Ford companies. The 1901 Autocar was 

 reconditioned by the Autocar Division of the White Motor Co. The 

 return of these cars to the exhibition floor markedly improved this 

 portion of the section of land transportation. 



The gallery exhibit of the section of scientific instruments now 

 consists of 12 units devoted to various fields, beginning with weights 

 and measures and ending with astrophysics. Each case is designed 

 to tell the story of the mechanical development of some instrument. 

 The section devoted to typewriters, phonographs, and calculating 

 machines was greatly improved by repainting and lettering, as was 

 the section of manufactures by the installation of special lighting 

 fixtures. Loom products of the early nineteenth century weaver 

 Peter Stauffer, the small hand sewing machine, and the safety factor 

 of after-dark pedestrian garments were featured in new display units 

 in the section of textiles. 



Of the 35 new exhibit units illustrating photomechanical printing, 

 in the chapel of the Smithsonian Building, 26 were completed during 

 the past year. Selected examples of photogravure, rotogravure, re- 

 lief halftone and the halftone screen, collotype, photolithography, 

 and offset lithography are included in the display. The special 

 monthly exhibits by contemporary printmakers and photographers 

 were continued in addition to short-term displays of materials drawn 

 from the collections. 



Individual exhibit units for the Hall of Health have for the most 

 part beeen designeed, the contents have been selected, and descriptive 

 text for many of the labels has been written. Construction work on 

 this hall has commenced. A series of 30 oil paintings depicting the 

 history of pharmacy lent by Parke, Davis & Co. was formally opened 

 for public view on September 30, 1955, at a ceremony attended by 

 Secretary Carmichael, George A. Bender, Eobert A. Thorn, the artist, 

 and Dr. Robert P. Fischelis, secretary of the American Pharmaceuti- 

 cal Association. 



Eleven new exhibits were installed in the gallery of Medical His- 

 tory during the year. An informative display unit labeled "Vita- 

 mins for Health, Growth and Life," prepared for the exhibit series 

 of the division of medicine and public health by Merck & Co., was 



