Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: A Duck Decoy

With its painted black bill, brown head, and white and black body, it is likely obvious to humans that this object is made out of wood. This object is called a duck decoy, and was intended to fool other ducks into settling…

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July 1, 2018

Kenosha / Kenosha County / Art, Sport & Entertainment / Industry / Object Histories / Wisconsin Made / 1877-1900 / Manufacturing & Trade / Transportation & Tourism / Region 8 - South East / Sterling Safety Bicycle

OBJECT HISTORY: Sterling Safety Bicycle

What did a bicycle rider in 1890 look for in a new bike? Safety and comfort, of course, but also beautiful construction—many of the same qualities that contemporary bicycle riders also seek. Sterling Bicycle advertisement featuring Annie Oakley on the safety bicycle, 1890s. The bicycle pictured here was donated to the Wisconsin Historical Museum, where it…

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April 10, 2017

Racine / Dairy Industry / Health & Medicine / Industry / Food & Cooking / Object Histories / Wisconsin Made / Everyday Life / 1848-1877 / Racine County / Manufacturing & Trade / Science & Medicine / Region 8 - South East / Horlick's Malted Milk

OBJECT HISTORY: Horlick’s Malted Milk

Invented in 1873 by British food manufacturer William Horlick, malted milk is made from wheat and malted barley extract mixed with reduced, dry whole milk.

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October 1, 2016

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Antigo / Langlade County / Sports & Games / Wisconsin Made / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / 1945-1965 / Region 2 - North East / Vulcan Bowling Pin

OBJECT HISTORY: Vulcan Bowling Pin

This bowling pin was produced by the Vulcan Corporation in Antigo, Wisconsin, sometime in the late 1950s after Vulcan had introduced its patented “Nyl-Tuf Supreme” plastic coating (as indicated by the pin’s red label).

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February 1, 2016

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Object Histories / Antigo / Sports & Games / Wisconsin Made / Langlade County / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / 1945-1965 / Region 2 - North East / 1965-1987 / Mepps Fishing Lure

OBJECT HISTORY: Mepps Fishing Lure

The classic Mepps fishing lure the Aglia, was invented in France in the 1930s and patented in 1938. (Mepps is a French acronym for Manufacturier d’ Engins de Precision pour Peches Sportives, translated as “Manufacture of Precision Equipment for Sport Fishing”.) It was introduced to northern Wisconsin, and to the U.S., by a G.I. returning from France.…

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October 20, 2015

West Bend / Object Histories / Food & Cooking / Industry / Wisconsin Made / Everyday Life / Washington County / Manufacturing & Trade / 1945-1965 / Region 8 - South East / Penguin Server

OBJECT HISTORY: Penguin Server

A penguin-themed serving bowl dishes out stories about the aluminum industry, postwar consumer culture, and home entertainment in mid-twentieth century Wisconsin.

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August 10, 2014