So, without further ado, please enjoy the first part of The Kregel Windmill Company: Providing Water to the Great American Desert:
Friday, March 27, 2015
The Story of the Kregel Windmill Company: Part 1
Over the last couple years there have been a lot of requests from visitors for us to have some sort of tangible written history of the Kregel Windmill Company. We tend to have a large amount of information and stories in our heads that we tell during tours but there was never really a place where someone could go and read about the history of the company. Due to all of the requests, and a little bit of my own personal curiosity, I researched and wrote a paper for a recent history conference entitled The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum: Providing Water to the Great American Desert. I'm proud to say that this paper won 3rd place overall in the undergraduate section of the conference and I now feel comfortable sharing it with you, the readers of the blog. The paper will be released on this page in multiple parts over the next month or two and I welcome any and all comments and questions about it.
So, without further ado, please enjoy the first part of The Kregel Windmill Company: Providing Water to the Great American Desert:
So, without further ado, please enjoy the first part of The Kregel Windmill Company: Providing Water to the Great American Desert:
Friday, February 13, 2015
A Closer Look: Mechanical Telephones
In continuing with our newest blog series, I would like to put the spotlight on a recently discovered artifact here at the museum. This new find was uncovered by Dave Silcox, a museum docent and dedicated member of our Friends of Kregel Membership Group. During the Grand Opening and conversations with Kregel family members, there had been mention of a telephone system that had been used to link the two factory buildings very early on in the company's history, however no such telephones had yet been found. The artifacts that were found appear to be the missing telephone system used at the factory.
The type of telephone system used between the buildings is far different from what most would describe as a telephone today, and actually resembles a child's "tin can" string telephone, though a little more sophisticated than Campbell's soup and twine. This type of telephone is referred to as an "acoustic" telephone or a "mechanical" telephone in that it utilizes sound waves through a wire or string instead of a modulated electric current. The design usually consisted of two round diaphragms connected by a line, either string or wire of some sort. When a person would speak into the diaphragm on one end the vibrations from the sound waves traveled down the line to the other diaphragm, emitting the message to the recipient. According to an article published in 1986 by John Kolger entitled Mechanical or String Telephones, there were many different materials used to make the diaphragms and connecting lines and each company that produced these telephones would likely have their own recommendation of what worked best.
Since the earliest modern style telephones were quite poor in sound quality, the mechanical telephone was a viable alternative for many years. They provided a much higher quality of sound and could pick up much quieter noises than the Bell telephones. According to Kolger, "It is also said that clocks could be heard ticking over the line." This style of telephone wasn't without is downfalls however. Since the line that carried the sound vibrations was exposed to the elements, any sort of inclement weather would affect the sound being produced. Rain or snow hitting the line could cause a tapping noise and ice accumulation could snap the thin connecting line. Another drawback to the mechanical telephone was the fact that the diaphragms at either end of the line needed to be in a straight line to get the best sound out of them, although there were companies that did successfully produce insulators which allowed the line to run at right angles and even switchbacks. Despite the number of companies that produced this type of communication system the technology was fairly short lived and obviously Bell's, and Meucci's, telephone design would win out in the end.
The specific type of telephone that was found was patented and produced by a man named Edwin D. Finch from Stanton, MI. His patent was issued on June 24th, 1879 (US No. 216,840) and was called simply "Improved Mechanical Telephone". Finch's improved design featured a spoke pattern of wires in the middle of the diaphragm, which Finch claimed helped to channel the sound waves down the connecting line to the other end. The face-plates of the telephone system, which are the parts that were found, go over a larger cylinder shaped base. Inside this base, according to Finch's patent, is a chain that allows the wire to be tension to be adjusted easily from either end and for the tension to be released when not in use so as not to wear-out the diaphragm. Another interesting addition to Finch's patent description comes when he is discussing how to get the best sound out of his telephones. He states that the system works best "when the diaphragms at opposite ends of the line are of different material, say one of silk and the other on linen, or vary in size, say a difference of one or two inches in diameter." Finch's description of this reduction in feedback is actually scientifically accurate, not something that can really be said of a lot of older theories regarding how something worked. The difference in diaphragm size or the material it's made from will affect the way in which sound resonated through or over the surface, meaning that once the vibrations reach one end they are less likely to be returned as feedback.
The following are some pictures of Edwin Finch's 1879 telephone system which was used here at the Kregel Windmill Company, and likely the Nebraska City Manufacturing Company before it, in order to communicate between the factory buildings.
The type of telephone system used between the buildings is far different from what most would describe as a telephone today, and actually resembles a child's "tin can" string telephone, though a little more sophisticated than Campbell's soup and twine. This type of telephone is referred to as an "acoustic" telephone or a "mechanical" telephone in that it utilizes sound waves through a wire or string instead of a modulated electric current. The design usually consisted of two round diaphragms connected by a line, either string or wire of some sort. When a person would speak into the diaphragm on one end the vibrations from the sound waves traveled down the line to the other diaphragm, emitting the message to the recipient. According to an article published in 1986 by John Kolger entitled Mechanical or String Telephones, there were many different materials used to make the diaphragms and connecting lines and each company that produced these telephones would likely have their own recommendation of what worked best.
Since the earliest modern style telephones were quite poor in sound quality, the mechanical telephone was a viable alternative for many years. They provided a much higher quality of sound and could pick up much quieter noises than the Bell telephones. According to Kolger, "It is also said that clocks could be heard ticking over the line." This style of telephone wasn't without is downfalls however. Since the line that carried the sound vibrations was exposed to the elements, any sort of inclement weather would affect the sound being produced. Rain or snow hitting the line could cause a tapping noise and ice accumulation could snap the thin connecting line. Another drawback to the mechanical telephone was the fact that the diaphragms at either end of the line needed to be in a straight line to get the best sound out of them, although there were companies that did successfully produce insulators which allowed the line to run at right angles and even switchbacks. Despite the number of companies that produced this type of communication system the technology was fairly short lived and obviously Bell's, and Meucci's, telephone design would win out in the end.
The specific type of telephone that was found was patented and produced by a man named Edwin D. Finch from Stanton, MI. His patent was issued on June 24th, 1879 (US No. 216,840) and was called simply "Improved Mechanical Telephone". Finch's improved design featured a spoke pattern of wires in the middle of the diaphragm, which Finch claimed helped to channel the sound waves down the connecting line to the other end. The face-plates of the telephone system, which are the parts that were found, go over a larger cylinder shaped base. Inside this base, according to Finch's patent, is a chain that allows the wire to be tension to be adjusted easily from either end and for the tension to be released when not in use so as not to wear-out the diaphragm. Another interesting addition to Finch's patent description comes when he is discussing how to get the best sound out of his telephones. He states that the system works best "when the diaphragms at opposite ends of the line are of different material, say one of silk and the other on linen, or vary in size, say a difference of one or two inches in diameter." Finch's description of this reduction in feedback is actually scientifically accurate, not something that can really be said of a lot of older theories regarding how something worked. The difference in diaphragm size or the material it's made from will affect the way in which sound resonated through or over the surface, meaning that once the vibrations reach one end they are less likely to be returned as feedback.
The following are some pictures of Edwin Finch's 1879 telephone system which was used here at the Kregel Windmill Company, and likely the Nebraska City Manufacturing Company before it, in order to communicate between the factory buildings.
The diaphragm ends of Edwin Finch's Mechanical Telephone. Note that one is larger than the other to reduce feedback.
The spoke-shaped wires on the diaphragm that direct sound waves to the connecting line.
Stamp showing the patent date of June 24th, 1879 on the larger of the two diaphragms.
Large diaphragm front showing size. Scale board 1" squares.
Small diaphragm front showing size. Scale board 1" squares.
Be sure to keep checking the blog for more posts regarding upcoming events, museum happenings, and blog series such as "A Closer Look". And, as always, may your blades always catch the wind!
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Upcoming Event: Spring Film Screening
On March 1st, 2015 at 1:30 pm the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum will be hosting a showing of the 1978 Terrence Malick film, Days of Heaven, starring Richard Gere, Sam Shepard, and Brooke Adams. Throughout the story (synopsis below) the film demonstrates the stark differences between the urban factory setting of the city and the wide open spaces of a farm in 1916, two areas that the Kregel Windmill Company operated in during the same time period. This event is free to the public with popcorn and refreshments provided. Come join us for a relaxing Sunday afternoon with some fine cinema!
"Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven, the long-awaited follow-up to his 1973 debut Badlands, confirmed his reputation as a visual poet and narrative iconoclast with a story of love and murder told through the jaded voice of a child and expressive images of nature. In 1916, Chicago steelworker Bill (Gere) flees to Texas with his little sister Linda (Linda Manz) and girlfriend Abby (Adams) after fatally erupting at his boss. Along with other itinerant laborors, they work the harvest at a wealthy, ailing farmer's ranch, but the farmer (Shepard) falls in love with Abby, and, believing her to be Bill's sister, asks the three to stay on his elysian spread. Seeing it as his one real chance to escape perpetual poverty, Bill urges Abby to marry the sick man. Marriage, however, has more restorative powers, and the farmer has more magnetism, than Bill has planned. "Nobody's perfect," Linda impassively observes in one of her many voice-overs, after their brief paradise is erased by plagues if locusts, fire, and lethal jealousy. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi.
For more information regarding this event please contact the museum by emailing to dean @kregelmuseum.org or calling (402) 873-1078.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
A Closer Look: Advertising Photo-Slides
It has been my intent for quite some time now to make a new periodical series on this blog where I will choose an individual artifact from the museum and delve a little deeper into the history of it. When all of the pieces in the Kregel factory are looked at as parts of the whole they paint an incredible picture of the company's, and the family's, long history. However each individual artifact in the museum has its own story to tell:
When was it made? How was it used? Who made it? Where was it made?
It will be the goal of this new series to try and shed some light on items that might get overshadowed by the gestalt picture of the museum. We have amidst our collections some very cool and interesting artifacts that I believe deserve their fair due. I will do my best to provide an in depth history of some of the more intriguing items the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum has to offer.
Due to recent inquiry by a visitor, the first artifact spotlight in this series will be the advertising projection slides that were found here at the museum a few months back.
These slides were originally produced for use by projectionists in cinemas to advertise local businesses during breaks between films or changing reels. Arthur Kregel's brother, Robert, owned an auto repair shop here in Nebraska City from 1910 to 1948. The photo slides that were found in the museum are advertisements for Kregel Brothers Auto Repair, originally viewed during film screenings throughout 1923.
In attempting to find more information regarding slides like these, and where these slides came from, I hit quite a brick wall. The company that produced these slides was the Wheel-Sheridan Corporation out of Los Angeles. As it states on the slides the company was operating under the name American Photo-Slide Company. When I tried to do some research on the American Photo-Slide Company, or Wheeler-Sheridan, I came up with almost nothing. That's an extremely odd occurrence in the age of technology. The only reference to the company that I found came from a listing in the Southwest Builder and Contractor, a widely distributed industry magazine of the time. The magazine shows that the company had "changes on permit #580" on June 25th, 1920. However there is no other mention of the company or its history anywhere that I could find.
I know that this is a fairly short introduction to this new blogpost series but I will continue to look for more information on these slides. There isn't a lot out there about this form of advertisement in general, let alone these specific pieces. Hopefully I can dig something else up on these and give an update in a little while. In the mean time, here are some more pictures of the slides we have here at the KWFM. Thanks for stopping by and may your blades always catch the wind!
When was it made? How was it used? Who made it? Where was it made?
It will be the goal of this new series to try and shed some light on items that might get overshadowed by the gestalt picture of the museum. We have amidst our collections some very cool and interesting artifacts that I believe deserve their fair due. I will do my best to provide an in depth history of some of the more intriguing items the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum has to offer.
Due to recent inquiry by a visitor, the first artifact spotlight in this series will be the advertising projection slides that were found here at the museum a few months back.
These slides were originally produced for use by projectionists in cinemas to advertise local businesses during breaks between films or changing reels. Arthur Kregel's brother, Robert, owned an auto repair shop here in Nebraska City from 1910 to 1948. The photo slides that were found in the museum are advertisements for Kregel Brothers Auto Repair, originally viewed during film screenings throughout 1923.
In attempting to find more information regarding slides like these, and where these slides came from, I hit quite a brick wall. The company that produced these slides was the Wheel-Sheridan Corporation out of Los Angeles. As it states on the slides the company was operating under the name American Photo-Slide Company. When I tried to do some research on the American Photo-Slide Company, or Wheeler-Sheridan, I came up with almost nothing. That's an extremely odd occurrence in the age of technology. The only reference to the company that I found came from a listing in the Southwest Builder and Contractor, a widely distributed industry magazine of the time. The magazine shows that the company had "changes on permit #580" on June 25th, 1920. However there is no other mention of the company or its history anywhere that I could find.
I know that this is a fairly short introduction to this new blogpost series but I will continue to look for more information on these slides. There isn't a lot out there about this form of advertisement in general, let alone these specific pieces. Hopefully I can dig something else up on these and give an update in a little while. In the mean time, here are some more pictures of the slides we have here at the KWFM. Thanks for stopping by and may your blades always catch the wind!
Friday, November 7, 2014
3rd Speaker Event Announcement
We are proud to finally announced the information for our 3rd and final event of this year's Fall Speaker Series. The presentation, set for November 22nd at 7pm, will feature Jesse Korus. Mr. Korus is a survey geologist with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and will be giving a talk entitled "Geology, Groundwater, and Wells: The Story of Nebraska's Subterranean Connections". This presentation will give attendees an in depth look into the intricacies of Nebraska's groundwater and the work that goes into getting it from the ground to wherever it is needed. Our aim is to provide insight into the type of work that the Kregel's would have been doing when they were a well repair and pump services business, providing services in about a forty mile radius around Nebraska City.
We hope to have many visitors join us for an educational and engaging presentation!
We hope to have many visitors join us for an educational and engaging presentation!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Second Speaker Event Overview
A big thank you goes out to everyone that attended the second part of our Fall Speaker Series last Thursday, October 16th. The speaker for the event was Prof. Don Hickey from Wayne State College who gave a presentation on the rich heritage of Nebraska. This interesting presentation was an educational and engaging look at the diverse history of this great state. Covering everything from the first homesteaders braving the "Great American Desert" to the modern obsession with everything Cornhusker, Prof. Hickey accurately portrayed the feelings and personalities of Nebraskans.
Although the event had a somewhat small audience, it was still an incredible presentation followed by an equally good Q&A section. I would like to personally thank Professor Hickey for being involved in the first year of our Speaker Series and I look forward to having him back to present for us in the future. May your blades always catch the wind!
Although the event had a somewhat small audience, it was still an incredible presentation followed by an equally good Q&A section. I would like to personally thank Professor Hickey for being involved in the first year of our Speaker Series and I look forward to having him back to present for us in the future. May your blades always catch the wind!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Second Speaker Event
The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is proud to announce the second installment in our 2014 Fall Speaker Series. On Thursday October 16th at 6:30 pm here at the museum there will be a presentation by Wayne State College professor Don Hickey on Nebraska's Rich Heritage. Prof. Hickey is known worldwide for his work on the War of 1812 and he is considered one of the premier scholars on that conflict. Prof. Hickey has also written a book on the vibrant history of Nebraska entitled Nebraska Moments: Glimpses of Nebraska's Past. In this book Prof. Hickey highlights defining moments throughout Nebraska's history and the incredible accomplishments, and sometimes terrible tragedies, that occurred along the way. Our fine state may seem quiet and docile on the surface, but delve deeper and you will find impressive tales of people and places that were otherwise unknown.
Attendees to this presentation will be given a sense of types of trials and tribulations that early Nebraskans faced trying to make their way in what some referred to as "The Great American Desert" This event is free to the public with snacks and refreshments provided. Please come join us for a fabulous night of rich Nebraska history at the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum. And may your blades always catch the wind!
Attendees to this presentation will be given a sense of types of trials and tribulations that early Nebraskans faced trying to make their way in what some referred to as "The Great American Desert" This event is free to the public with snacks and refreshments provided. Please come join us for a fabulous night of rich Nebraska history at the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum. And may your blades always catch the wind!
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