Foot-powered Dental Drill

Foot-powered dental drills transformed the practice of dentistry when they were introduced in 1871. Operating at 700 rpm, the drill was considered “lightning fast.” By comparison, today’s air-turbine-engine drills can reach speeds of 800,000 rpm! Dr. Edly W. Cawthon used this dental drill in his office in Plateau, in north Mobile County, in the early 1900s.

Early 20th Century Christmas Lights

Only three years after Thomas Edison invented the practical electric light bulb in 1879, Christmas lights appeared on trees for the first time. In 1903, Christmas lights, like this blue one, sold for $12 for a set of 24, which was quite expensive, considering the average paycheck was about $13 a week!

Figural Christmas lights became available in 1906. These cone-shaped lights are probably meant to resemble pinecones. Other popular shapes included birds, fruits, and flowers.

Adopt an Artifact

Many of the Museum’s collections need conservation work to preserve them for future generations. Please help us by “adopting” an artifact! Your donation comes with:

• A Certificate of Adoption, including photo and artifact history
  
• Special Tour of the Collections Area
  
• Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law
  

For more information, contact Holly Jansen, Curator of Collections at holly.jansen@cityofmobile.org or 251-208-7420.