Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Chevrolet Caprice

General Motors was the largest car manufacturing corporation in the world in the 1960s, and the assembly of the 100 millionth General Motors vehicle, a marina blue 1967 Chevrolet Caprice with a soft black top and complementary blue interior, was a significant…

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February 17, 2025

Rhinelander / Hodag Decanter / Art & Design / Object Histories / Food & Cooking / Wisconsin Made / Lumber Industry / Region 2 - North East / Oneida County / 1965-1987

OBJECT HISTORY: Hodag Decanter

A fearsome sight to behold, the horrible Hodag is rumored to stalk the Northwoods of Wisconsin. First “spotted” in the lumber town of Rhinelander in the late 1800s, the hoax of the Hodag took on a life of its own and made…

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May 15, 2023

Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / Industry / 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

Industry / Neenah / Object Histories / Wisconsin Made / Manufacturing & Trade / Winnebago County / 1987-2011 / Region 5 - Center East / Neenah Foundry Manhole Cover

OBJECT HISTORY: Neenah Foundry Manhole Cover

Since opening in 1904, the Neenah Foundry has earned a worldwide reputation for producing manhole covers. Manhole covers are removable lids fitted for tunnels large enough for people to access underground sewer and storm water systems. Made from strong and long-lasting cast…

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September 29, 2021

Object Histories / Milwaukee / Milwaukee County / Education / Wisconsin Made / 1848-1877 / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Region 8 - South East / Sholes and Glidden Typewriter

OBJECT HISTORY: Sholes & Glidden Typewriter

Christopher Latham Sholes (1819-1890) had a number of interests, one of which was spending time at Kleinsteuber’s Machine Shop in Milwaukee. While there, he met other tinkerers including Samuel Soule who was a printer by trade and Carlos Glidden who was a…

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September 22, 2021

Health & Medicine / Home Furnishings / Industry / Sheboygan / Object Histories / Wisconsin Made / Everyday Life / Manufacturing & Trade / 1900-1918 / Sheboygan County / Region 5 - Center East / The 1904 Kohler “Armeda” Toilet

OBJECT HISTORY: The 1904 Kohler “Armeda” Toilet

By the year 1904, when the “Armeda” toilet pictured here appeared in the Kohler Company’s product catalogue, Sheboygan-based Kohler had become one of the largest makers of bathroom furnishings in the United States. Even at this early date in its history, as…

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November 10, 2020