Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: machines

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of pick your own (post a photo depicting your favorite theme from the past year) . As my favorite of the year, I'm choosing the theme of pick a particular format (daguerreotype, cabinet card, CDV, real photo postcard, cyanotype, slide, Polaroid, or what have you?) . And among those formats, I'm selecting real photo postcard , as I did previously in March (see Foursome Flying over Long Beach, California, 1914 ). I took a quick look at my postings to the Vintage Photos Theme Park during 2023, and I discovered to my surprise that the majority of my weekly contributions -- more than thirty! -- were real photo postcards . This photo postcard, captioned "One Minute Churn, L. H. Chambers, Cumberland, Md.," shows Lorenzo Hazell Chambers (1877-1958) standing next to a mechanical butter churn . He has a wide grin on his face, and he's resting his left hand on top of the churn. Perhaps Chambers intended to use this card as an advertisement for selling churns (the One-Minute Churn Company solicited sales agents -- see the company's ad below), even though the photo quality is poor and the image seems quite cloudy. This real photo postcard is unused, without any address, message, stamp, or postmark. The Kruxo stamp box design on the other side suggests a possible date that may be as early as 1908 to 1910. Also printed on the verso: "The C. C. Bickert Post Card Co., Hagerstown, Md." The following advertisement for the patented One-Minute Churn appeared in Hardware magazine, April 10, 1905, p. 11. Butter in One Minute The only perfect milk and cream aerator churn in the world, making the best granular butter from sour or sweet cream in a minute -- which we guarantee -- is the One Minute Churn. Protected by 57 patents. Its construction is perfect in every detail. All parts interchangeable and carried in stock. Easy to run, holding 1 quart to 13 gallons. For farm and family use. Our Catalogue tells all. Mention Hardware . Agents wanted. Cable address: "Minute" or "Murphite" New York. I. M. Murphy, president. The One Minute Churn Co., Inc., 9 Old Slip, New York, U.S.A.

A men on machines photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park monthly free-for-all topic (submit as many vintage photos on any topic as you'd like). This is a snapshot of three sailors goofing around on top of an old steamroller. A handwritten note on the other side of the photo identifies the "ship" and its crew: "Good old ship 'Rollupnutherone.' Hanson, pilot. Robinson, observer. Umholtz, helmsman." For another photo of men on a machine, see Standing on a Steamer .

A waiting photo (sort of) for the Vintage Photos Theme Park with three men posing and waiting for the photographer to snap the picture. It's also a men on machines photo for the VPTP monthly free-for-all topic (submit as many vintage photos on any topic as you'd like). The photo shows a couple of guys posing on top of a steam engine while a fellow down below—with his sleeves rolled up and a shovel in his hands—does the dirty work. It looks the steam engine is in working order—there's a belt around the flywheel on the other side—but the boiler obviously isn't hot enough to prevent the guys from positioning themselves above it. For another photo of men on a machine, see Steamrolling over the Waves .

A photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park monthly topic of 1970s (submit a photo on this topic each week in addition to—or instead of—a photo for the weekly topic). An orange Lawn-Boy mower in a snapshot dated April 1971.

The business card for James D. Brinser, who was the superintendent of the Crescent Electric Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The card was printed by D. B, Landis, Pluck Print, Lancaster, Pa. I relied on listings and ads in various publications for the approximate date of 1895. The Annual Report of the Factory Inspector for Pennsylvania in the year 1894, for instance, gives the location of the Crescent Electric Company as 117 East Chestnut in Lancaster, as printed on the card. In 1896, however, Brinser assigned an Electric-Motor Fan patent to the Marietta Manufacturing Company in Marietta, Pa., which suggests that fans were no longer manufactured in Lancaster by that time. By 1898, the ads for Crescent Electric Fans indicated that the Marietta Manufacturing Company made them. The Crescent Electric Co. Manufacturers of Electric Motors and Fans 111 to 117 East Chestnut Street, Lancaster, Pa. Electrical and general machine repairing. Armature and magnet winding a specialty. New and second-hand motors in stock. Prompt attention. Obliging service. Reasonable prices. James Brinser, superintendent. Telephone.

The illustration on this Christmas card from 1930 is a reference to the stock market crash that devastated the economy the previous year and signaled the beginning of the Great Depression . We see ticker tape spewing out of a stock ticker machine as brokers run around in the background trying to place buy or sell orders for stocks as the chaos of the crash unfolds. Despite the volatility of the market, the card's message is to have a "Merry Christmas anyway." "The Bulls and Bears may have their day / But Merry Christmas, anyway. Your son, Ross." "You can take stock in this greeting." Handwritten date on the back of the card: "Dec. 15, 1930."

"Presented by C. B. Winchell, Harrisburg, Pa." This inscription, handwritten in elaborate Spencerian script , appears on the reverse of a business card for "E. R. Parker, manufacturer and dealer in new hardware specialties, 227½ Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pa."

"E. R. Parker, manufacturer and dealer in new hardware specialties, 227½ Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pa. Parker's Patent Combined Clamp and Filing Guide." Handwritten in elaborate Spencerian script on the other side of this business card: "Presented by C. B. Winchell, Harrisburg, Pa." The illustration of "Parker's Patent Combined Clamp and Filing Guide" refers to a patent for an "Improvement in Saw-Clamp and Filing-Guide" (see below) that was issued to Edwin R. Parker in 1879. Improvement in Saw-Clamp and Filing-Guide . U.S. Patent No. 219,650, dated September 16, 1879. "Be it known that I, Edwin R. Parker, of Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and Improved Saw-Clamp and Filing-Guide . . . . The object in making this invention is to produce a convenient instrument or machine for clamping and holding the saw-teeth and guiding the file in filing all sizes of circular and mill saws of any gage, size, and shape of teeth, and whether the saw be on the arbor or removed therefrom; and the improvements consist, respectively, in the several devices, and in the combinations and sub-combinations, as hereinafter described and claimed."

"Wm. C. Myers, practical artesian well contractor. Test holes for prospectors. Estimates on application. Work done on short notice. Satisfaction guaranteed. Bell 'phone. Salunga, Lancaster Co., Pa. Traction." For a similar business card, see U. W. Myers, Artesian Well Driller, Myerstown, Pa.

A colorful Victorian-era advertising trade card for the Standard Sewing Machine Company. Stamped on the other side: "Horace Brillinger, Emigsville, Pa." Standard Rotary Shuttle Sewing Machine The highest priced lock stitch machine made. But the cheapest, because the best. The nation's pride. Compliments of the Standard Sewing Machine Co., Cleveland, O., U.S.A. Pansies' Playtime. M. F. Tobin, N.Y.

Although I haven't uncovered any specific information regarding Thomas Edison's Uncle Sam automaton at the Columbian Exposition in 1893, I suspect that it wasn't too far removed from the inventor's unsuccessful talking doll, which appeared in 1890. For info on this, see Gaby Wood, Edison's Eve: A Magical History of the Quest for Mechanical Life (Knopf, 2002); Edison’s First, Less Scary Talking Doll Recording , a posting on The History Blog; a page dealing with the Edison Talking Doll - 1890 ; and, finally, a short segment on Edison's Talking Doll (with a demo of the doll!) that aired on Discovery's Oddities show. Uncle Sam The wonderful Edison talking automaton at World's Fair, delivering 40,000 speeches during the Exhibition, about Highest Award, Gold Medal, Hub Gore. Hub Gore Makers, Elastic for Shoes. Hub Gore A. Trade Mark. Highest Gold Medal Awarded. Elastic for Shoes, Highest Award to Hub Gore Makers. Columbian Exposition.

"Ontario Drill Company, East Rochester, N.Y. Eventually you will sell 'Ontario,' why not start now. Hoe or disc. H. Gamse & Bro., Lith., Balto., Md." An advertising ink blotter for the Ontario Drill Company, which manufactured grain drills and other agricultural equipment.

"Davenport Ice Chipping Machine Co., manufacturers of the Little Giant Ice Chipper for hotels, restaurants, saloons, and ice men. 923 West Fourth St., Davenport, Iowa. Phone 6201. Represented by ________." Stamped on the back of this card: "F. A. Goff, 211 W. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa." The following announcement about this ice chipping machine appeared in The Iron Age , May 7, 1903, p. 77: "The Davenport Ice Chipping Machine Company, Davenport, Iowa, are placing on the market the Little Giant Ice Chipper, shown herewith [with the same illustration that's on the card], a machine designed to take the place of hand tools for shaving or chipping ice. The special features of the machine, according to the manufacturers, are simplicity, compactness, strength, and durability. Brackets are provided for attachment to a wall post or to a portable stand, by bolts or lag screws. The fly wheel has a detachable handle, the spout at the bottom is made to be turned, on the swivel plan, to either side or to any desired position, and the cylinder is of heavy cast iron. Upon the sectional wheels, which are firmly attached to the shaft, are mounted toothed blades of tool steel, fastened by heavy machine screws, allowing the blades to be adjusted and easily replaced when necessary."

For information about Darius L. Kauffman and hydraulic rams, see the front of this advertising trade card: The Hydraulic Ram, Darius L. Kauffman, Garfield, Pa., 1880s . Spring and Creek Water. How to raise it for all purposes! The Hydraulic Ram is a perfectly simple, effective, and durable machine, for forcing a portion of a spring or brook to many points, at any required distance to a mile or more, and elevations to 300 feet, at the rate of 10 to 1000 gallons per hour, depending on quantity of water, fall, elevation, distance, and size of ram, will furnish a constantly running stream of water to irrigate land, supply dwellings, creameries, livestock, factories, villages, R.R. stations, &c. Thousands in constant use, many over 30 years. Double hydraulic rams will raise fresh spring water with power of creeks without mixing. Have sole agency in Berks, Lehigh, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, and parts of Schuylkill and Dauphin counties for Morrow's Improved Rams, horizontal valve; using the least fall and water. All sizes and kinds of hydraulic rams, pipes, drain tiles, and requisites for furnishing water, forwarded at short notice on most reasonable terms. We prefer to direct, and put them up personally to obtain the best results. Experience is very important. Our work warranted to give entire satisfaction. You need not pump, carry water, or drive stock to creeks. To Raise Water without Fall. ☞The hot air pumping engine will lift and force water from deep wells into tanks, especially adapted for domestic use, quarries, mines, and whatever it is required to raise from 100 to 5000 gallons of water per hour, with very little fuel. Has no boiler! No steam! No valve! Is small, powerful, absolutely safe, and as simple as a stove. Over 7000 in use. Will be given on trial if desired. Anyone in need of any of the above, call on or address Darius L. Kauffman, Garfield, Berks Co., Pa.

In this advertising trade card from the 1880s, Darius L. Kauffman revealed his passion for the hydraulic ram , which is essentially a water-powered water pump. The front of the card (above) illustrates a ram in action. One pipe draws water from a pond or steam in the wooded area on the right, and then the ram mechanism uses pressure from the water flow to send water through another pipe so that it travels up the hill on the left to reach the livestock grazing there. On the back of the card (see below), Kauffman described the hydraulic ram as "a perfectly simple, effective, and durable machine," which can be used "for forcing a portion of a spring or brook to many points, at any required distance to a mile or more, and elevations to 300 feet, at the rate of 10 to 1000 gallons per hour." In this way, it can "furnish a constantly running stream of water to irrigate land, supply dwellings, creameries, livestock, factories, villages, R.R. stations, &c." In addition to hydraulic rams, Kauffman also offered to install "hot air pumping engines," which burned fuel--coal, wood, or gas--to provide the energy for pumping water, and to supply accessories like pipes and tiles for his customers. Tragically, Kauffman died at the age of 33 as he was discussing the hydraulic ram. The Harrisburg Telegraph (Harrisburg, Pa), on Tuesday, April 16, 1889, p. 2, reported his death in this brief note: "An Inventor's Sudden Death. Reading, Pa., April 16. Darius L. Kauffman, an inventor, of Garfield, this county [Berks County], died suddenly at Mossersville, Lehigh county. He was explaining the mechanism of a hydraulic ram in which he was interested, when he fell forward and in a few moments expired. Death was caused by paralysis of the heart." The Hydraulic Ram. ☞New Hot☜ Air Pumping Engine. Lead, Plain, and Galvanized Iron Pipes. Drain Tiles, &c. Darius L. Kauffman, Garfield, Berks Co., Pa. (over)

"The Weary Farmer (Up to Date), designed & pub. by Frank W. Swallow, Exeter, N.H." I'm not sure why Frank W. Swallow of Exeter, New Hampshire, published this early twentieth-century postcard, which ridicules the "Weary Farmer," his family, and the hired help for living a life of luxury. One clue might be the well-off real estate dealer, who's standing in front of his office, where the sign says, "No deserted farms left. Fair farms, $5,000.00 to $50,000.00." Was there an economic downturn at some point that caused families to abandon their farms? Did Swallow feel that some farmers and real estate agents were profiting from the misfortune of others? I haven't solved this mystery yet, but in the meantime here's the cast of characters portrayed on the card: The Farmer is fanning himself while lying on a hammock and sipping sweet cider from a straw. The Hired Man is sitting beneath a tree as he smokes a cigarette and reads a dime novel ( Diamond Dick ) with his unused shovel and hoe by his side. The Son is out on the golf course. The Real Estate Dealer is wearing expensive clothing, including a diamond ring. An automobile is parked in front of his real estate office, where there's a sign that says, "No deserted farms left. Fair farms, $5,000.00 to $50,000.00." The Hired Girl is sitting in a rocking chair as she dries the dishes. The Wife and Daughter are dressed in fine clothes as they sip their tea. The Cow , however, is toiling away on a treadmill, supplying the power and the raw material--milk--for the butter and cheese machines, which apparently provide enough income to allow everyone else besides the cow to live a life of leisure.

"Wishing You a Happy New Year, J. P. Baker, Trav. Ag't, Harrisburg, Pa. Buckeye. 1895. 1896. Buckeye. J. H. Trezise, 1125-27 N. Third St., H'b'g." This is a unique photographic New Year greeting that depicts Father Time--carrying an old-fashioned scythe and designated as "1895"--worriedly running away from an overdressed gent who's uttering the word "Buckeye" as he tips his hat and rides atop a newfangled "1896" mechanical reaping machine pulled by a bevy of Cupid-like putti . The inset to the right of this imaginative scene is a photo of "J. P. Baker," who's identified as a traveling agent (salesman) from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Dressed in a hat, cravat, vest, and suit coat, Baker appears to be the model for the gussied-up guy riding the reaper. Although I haven't uncovered any specific information regarding J. P. Baker, I suspect that he may have worked for Aultman, Miller & Co., manufacturer of Buckeye Harvesting Machinery, which had an office at 625 Walnut Street in Harrisburg, according to Boyd's Directory of Harrisburg and Steelton for 1895. The company sold a variety of agricultural equipment for mowing, reaping, threshing, and other tasks (to see a fascinating early silent film clip of a Buckeye machine in operation in Australia, take a look at Wheat Harvesting with Reaper and Binder -1899 ). J. P. Baker evidently used this photograph to wish a happy New Year to his friends and business associates and to promote himself and his Buckeye machines to customers.

A vinegar valentine postcard dating to the time when "typewriter" (rather than typist) was commonly used to refer to the person doing the typing as well as to the machine itself. Typewriter About grammar and spelling Just nothing you know, And the letters you type Are a scandalous show!