I recently published a book about my area’s industrial history (The Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee). It features over seventy local companies and the incredible machines they invented.

I have been giving presentations about the book—about one a month—at local libraries and to various area historical organizations. The presentations have gone well and tend to attract retirees from local manufacturing companies. I find myself learning a good deal during these outings, since the attendees have many stories to tell about the histories of the companies they were associated with.

Later this year, I am involved in a much more interactive experience related to the book. A local museum devoted to the ‘art of people at work’ (Milwaukee’s Grohmann Museum) will be hosting an exhibit of many of the machines highlighted in my book.

I have been serving as an informal curator of the exhibit, to help locate interesting artifacts that can be displayed. The process of contacting the owners of these artifacts is helping to generate a good deal of ‘buzz’ about the book and its pending exhibit.

The exhibit will feature everything from early machines manufactured in the area, to artwork, photographs, catalogues, blueprints, and patent drawings. Machinery will include motorcycles, bicycles, outboard engines, internal combustion engines, tools and even some toy games.

A Few Examples

One of the devices developed in Milwaukee was the typewriter. Christopher Lapham Sholes of our city labored for years with a group of fellow inventors to perfect a typing device and bring it to market as the Sholes & Glidden ‘Type Writer.’ The local museum is fortunate to have several of these first typewriters and has agreed to loan one for the exhibit.

While everyone is familiar with the Sholes ‘QUERTY’ keyboard, many of the younger generation have never used a typewriter. While the Sholes & Glidden is far too valuable to permit hands-on experience, the exhibit will also provide a few less-valuable typewriters, along with an ample supply of paper, to allow visitors to experience a typewriter first hand. We are hopeful that they will leave some interesting messages for other visitors.

The local Nash Owners Group is planning to hold an automobile show and plans are being made to close the adjacent street to provide space for there made-in-Milwaukee vehicles.

Many of the machines developed in Milwaukee are far too large to exhibit. However, we will have numerous models of early steam shovels, locomotives and rail cars, and steam engines. One of these model steam engines was manufactured by apprentice machinists of a local manufacturing company, probably a century ago. This working steam engine will be set up with a motor and switch, with a sign inviting visitors to power it up. We hope to do the same with a herringbone gear drive.

The Impact on Sales

The exhibit will provide several opportunities for presentations, as well as for book signings. And, of course, the book will be available for sale at the adjacent museum book store. While it is too early to gauge the impact on book sales, it has been many decades since the area has celebrated its industrial heritage and the exhibit is expected to be a major draw. We expect a good deal of publicity, which should also help generate book sales.