REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND INDUSTRIES 

 (Carl W. Mitman, Head Curator) 



For the first 2 months of the year, following the retirement of 

 W. deC. Ravenel on June 30, 1932, the department of arts and 

 industries was administered by J. E. Graf, associate director. On 

 September 6, 1932, the ofiice of head curator was established and an 

 administrative set-up created similar to that of the natural science 

 departments of the Museum. C. W. Mitman, who had spent 3 

 months of the summer in a general survey of technical, industrial, 

 and science museums of western Europe, was advanced from the 

 position of curator of engineering to the new position; and Frank A. 

 Taylor was promoted from assistant curator of engineering to curator. 



ACCESSIONS FOR THE YEAR 



Valuable historical specimens of textiles, engineering, and graphic 

 arts that never would have come to light in boom times were brought 

 to the department's attention during the year and acquired when 

 possible. Slack business, on the other hand, practically prevented the 

 acquisition of new industrial exhibits, but permitted many who had 

 cooperated with the Museum in the past to renew their exliibits. 



Specimens added to the department's collections during 1933 

 totaled 4,261, about one third more than in 1932. The distribution 

 of these among the divisions and sections was as follows: Engineering, 

 312; textiles, 708; organic chemistry, 764; wood technology, 365; 

 foods, 2; history of agriculture, 252; medicine, 425; graphic arts, 

 including photography, 1,433. 



Engineering. — The 312 specimens included in the 82 accessions 

 of tliis division were assigned to the sections as follows: Aeronautics, 

 174; mechanical technology, 130; mineral technology, 8. 



In aeronautics, the most prominent object acquired was the 

 gondola, or car, of the Pilgrim, the first dirigible designed for inflation 

 with helium gas. It is complete with the Laurence 3-cylinder radial 

 engine and the 4-blade metal propeller used with it, and was presented 

 by the Goodyear Tiro & Rubber Co. 



The collection pertaining to the early history of balloons was 

 augmented by the gift of Miss Emma Durant, of New York City, of a 

 number of original illustrations and records describing the work of 

 her father, Charles F. Durant, the first professional American aero- 

 naut, who made his first ascent from Castle Garden, New York City, 

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