I recently graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in history, but landing a career in history right out of undergrad school is not easy. I am looking at pursuing a master's degree in public history in the near future. UW-Milwaukee has a public history program that I am very interested in, and that is the… Continue reading The Allis-Chalmers History Museum
Tag: Wisconsin
Inside the Fallout Shelter
In 2010 some homeowners in Neenah opened a backyard fallout shelter that was built by the previous property owners in 1960. Inside were ammo boxes filled with supplies (from food and games to medicine and radiation meters) to last a family of four for about 2 weeks. Some artifacts from the shelter were donated to the Neenah… Continue reading Inside the Fallout Shelter
The Neenah Shelter
This past Wednesday was a big day for our exhibition. The local news stations came to stories, and since then the story has gone national! How exciting that the exhibit is starting to pick up that kind of attention. I had my first appearance on television as well. It is amazing how USA Today, Huffington… Continue reading The Neenah Shelter
Allis-Chalmers Patent Archive
-New Page - I am starting a BIG project that involves researching, sorting, and cataloging Allis-Chalmers patents. Most of these documents are already online, but it takes some intense searching to find them. It is not as easy as typing in "Roto-Baler" and having all of those patents appear. There are a lot of great… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Patent Archive
Snap-Coupler Hitch System
In the 1940s and 1950s farm equipment manufacturers began designing brand specific hitching systems that allowed implements to be mounted directly to the tractor for transporting. Allis-Chalmers developed a hitching mechanism it trademarked Snap-Coupler. The system was as simple as backing the tractor up to the tongue of the implement until the large hook mounted… Continue reading Snap-Coupler Hitch System
Take Cover Neenah! My First History Exhibit Project
As May approaches the opening day of Take Cover Neenah! exhibit at the Neenah Historical Society gets closer! It has been a great opportunity to work with fellow historians to assemble an amazing exhibit about Cold War history in the United State and in Neenah, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Humanities Council awarded a grant to the historical society to help fund the… Continue reading Take Cover Neenah! My First History Exhibit Project
Pride of Machinery Hall
The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition was a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World, and the achievement of a city. Countries all over the world, businesses across the United States, and inventions were among the featured showcases at the exposition. Among the showcased industrial firms was the Edward P. Allis Company of Milwaukee,… Continue reading Pride of Machinery Hall
Roto-Baler Serial Numbers & Production
For those of you who own a Roto-Baler, do you want to know what year your machine was made? First, you need to locate the serial number on your baler. If you have a manual for the machine, it tells you where to find the number. For those of you who don't have the manual,… Continue reading Roto-Baler Serial Numbers & Production
Allis-Chalmers: Story of Man and Food #4
No 4. Science Aids the Farmer
Going Underground…What Would You Bring?
Imagine a world where you live in constant fear of being annihilated by nuclear weapons. You are going about your day, and in the late afternoon the neighborhood sirens blast, your radio and TV switched to emergency messages saying terrorists are launching a nuclear attack on the United States. You have 15 minutes before the bomb hits,… Continue reading Going Underground…What Would You Bring?
The Weekend Historian 