Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Christening Bottle

Shards of a broken champagne bottle; wrapped in a decorative casing of red, white, and blue fabric; packed with red, white, and blue ribbons inside a 15½” x 5” x 5½” wooden box. This broken bottle was used to christen the USS…

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June 21, 2022

Milwaukee County / Industry / Milwaukee / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / 1900-1918 / 1918-1945 / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / The Harley-Davidson V-Twin Engine

Beyond the Dirt Track: Harley-Davidson Expands to New Markets

Harley-Davidson motorcycles may have had their first exposure on the dirt-track racing circuits of the early 1900s, but their legacy did not end with extreme sports. 1908 marked the Milwaukee Police Department’s creation of its novel “motorcycle unit.” Consisting of just five…

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June 18, 2022

Broad History / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Industry / Milwaukee County / Milwaukee / Related Stories / Sports & Games / Manufacturing & Trade / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / The Harley-Davidson V-Twin Engine

Harley Davidson and Milwaukee

It’s no secret that Harley-Davidson’s history is deeply rooted in Milwaukee. From dealerships to museums, the motorcycle giant serves as a cultural landmark and has become synonymous with the sprawling city. Thus, one may be surprised to learn of its humble beginnings.…

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June 18, 2022

Industry / Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / Object Histories / Wisconsin Made / 1900-1918 / Manufacturing & Trade / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / The Harley-Davidson V-Twin Engine

OBJECT HISTORY: The Harley-Davidson V-Twin Engine

When Edward Pennington unveiled the first prototype for what he deemed the “motorcycle” in 1895, inspiration struck the minds of two Milwaukee natives, William Harley and Arthur Davidson. Joined by Arthur’s brother, Walter, the three began tinkering with two-wheelers and eventually designed…

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June 18, 2022

Art & Design / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Neenah / Industry / Related Stories / 1848-1877 / Everyday Life / Manufacturing & Trade / 1965-1987 / Winnebago County / 1987-2011 / 2011-Today / Region 5 - Center East / Neenah Foundry Manhole Cover

Manhole Cover Designs and Contemporary Aesthetics

Over the past 45 years, there has been a growing worldwide fascination and appreciation for the beauty and craftsmanship of manhole covers. Some enthusiasts even created a subreddit aptly titled, Manhole Porn: Sewer covers in all their glory!, celebrating this ubiquitous iron…

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September 29, 2021

Neenah / Industry / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / 1918-1945 / Winnebago County / Region 5 - Center East / Neenah Foundry Manhole Cover

From the Fox River Valley to the Windy City: The Roaring Twenties and the Neenah Foundry

The 1920s began with significant economic prosperity and an emphasis on social and culturally rich energy with an influx of jazz, Art-Deco, telephones, film, and radio in cities like Chicago, IL. With the City of Chicago flourishing, The Neenah Foundry of the…

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September 29, 2021