First Contact: Eugene Hirst and New Zealand’s Innovative History of Contact Lens Production

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Name	Summary/Abstract	Subject category
First Contact: Eugene Hirst and New Zealand’s Innovative History of Contact Lens Production	Located at number 9 High Street in Auckland is the flagship store of Mortimer Hirst, an eyewear company associated with a rich history of contact lens innovation in New Zealand. The company is result of a partnership set up between optometrist Douglas Mortimer (1918–2005) and dental technician Eugene Hirst (1911–1989) in 1949, joint directors of both Mortimer Hirst and Hirst Contact Lens Limited.	Contact lenses
In Stitches: A Selection of Sewing Machines	In use since the late 1700s, sewing machines have been a key component in both domestic and industrial technology. Contributing to the industrial revolution, providing uniforms for war, and altering domestic duties; sewing machines have evolved with social change throughout history. Often associated with the popular Singer name, sewing machines have become a symbol of women’s work, clothing production and factory jobs. It is interesting to note sewing machines were not manufactured in New Zealand but imported and sold under license by New Zealand retailers. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) Collection has a variety of sewing machines, which represent New Zealanders links with these, once essential, domestic appliance and reveal a unique side business for vehicle manufacturers.	Sewing Sewing-machines Manufacturers
A Polarising Sauce: The Essence of Anchovies	In 2017, MOTAT received the donation of an unopened bottle of sauce carrying the title “Essence of Anchovies”. At first it may seem an unusual object for MOTAT's Collection, so let’s take a closer look at the unique history of this object.
Time Flies When Having Fun	During an exploration of timepieces within MOTAT’s Collection, we rediscovered several unique and kooky clocks. Here’s what author Emily Hames found…	Clocks and watches
Morris’s Marquetry Masterpiece — The Story of MOTAT’s Half-Tester Bed	One of the Registry team’s major projects for the year has been Collection Review. This is an ongoing process which assesses MOTAT’s Collection for its significance and relevance to the Mission and Strategy. My research focus was on the Furniture and Fittings Department. A stand out object from my research was James Morris’ Half Tester Bed (1967.437). The bed was donated to MOTAT in 1967 by a descendant of Morris.	Carpentry Wood Woodwork Art, colonial <C> Art, New Zealand Cabinetwork Kauri
A Platform for the Future: Auckland Rapid Transit	The plan for Auckland’s electric metro rail that included an underground CBD loop from 50 years ago.	Railroad engineering Railroads
Redressing the Balance – A Brief History of Letter Balances and the Penny Post	During my recent research of MOTAT’s Weights and Measures Collection, the letter balances, or postal scales, stood out – when did they first become popular and how are they relevant to New Zealand’s history?	Postal service Postage stamps Scales (Weighing instruments)
Preserving Time	During the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that re-emerged was the appreciation of a more slow-paced life. This resulted from having more time at home due to people’s movements being restricted to their neighbourhoods. People had more time to spend in the garden and exercise through, walks, running, biking and/or scooter rides within their bubbles. With the lack of takeaway options, home cooked meals and baking became more common;, this also included the act of preserving food.	Canning and preserving Glass Glass manufacture
The Magic of Cinema	With cinemas opening up their digital doors to share the classics, Walsh Memorial Library's pictorial collection gives a look back at the glitz and glam of Auckland’s cinema in the early-mid 20th century.
Tram No. 135 and its century of travelling the tracks	Built in 1921, Tram No. 135's history of service in Wellington and journey to MOTAT is outlined.	New Zealand Wellington City Corporation Tramways Conservation and restoration
New Zealand’s first diesel engine	New Zealand’s first diesel engines were used at Dunedin’s Musselburgh Pumping Station from 1905. Only one of the two remains, and it is in MOTAT’s collection.	Diesel, Rudolf Christian Karl, 1858 -1913 Sulzer diesel engine
MOTAT's Barclay 1270	Barclay 1270 is an industrial steam locomotive built by the firm of Andrew Barclay and Sons (now Brodie Engineering) in Kilmarnock, Scotland. The company manufactured steam locomotives from 1870 before moving on to produce fireless and, later, diesel locomotives. Many examples of Barclay locomotives have been preserved at museums and heritage railways in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, including Barclay 1270. MOTAT’s Barclay had an interesting history with New Zealand’s forestry, energy and mining industries in the 20th century - read on for more.	North Island Great Britain Railroads Locomotives
Christening the Collection	An important aspect of the Registry team’s role is reviewing the Collection. Here is what we have discovered about our assortment of christening gowns…	Christening gowns
Short Solent Mk 4, ZK-AMO "Aranui"	The Short S45A Solent Mk 4 Flying Boat ZK-AMO "Aranui" has been a feature in MOTAT's collection since 1964. Read more to learn about how "Aranui" came to be at MOTAT.	Coral Route Tasman Empire Airways Limited Short Solent
Harold Piper — What’s in an Aviator’s Logs?	The Walsh Memorial Library hold eight logbooks of Banks Peninsula-born pilot Harold Lord Piper (1899–1965). Log books are an invaluable record for any pilot — tracing the different aircraft types flown, distances and conditions they flew in.	Aviators Log books
‘A Long Day in a Tin Can’	New Zealand Railways hostesses recall working the main trunk line in the 1970’s and 80's.	New Zealand Railways North Island Main Trunk Railway
Some Assembly Required: A Brief History of Early Ford Assembly in New Zealand	In the 1930s, New Zealand had a thriving car assembly industry. While this is no longer the case today, New Zealand still has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world. In 1939, New Zealand was second only to the USA for car ownership.	Automobile factories Ford automobile
A New Topdressing Aircraft	The Walsh Memorial Library hold eight logbooks of Banks Peninsula-born pilot Harold Lord Piper (1899–1965). Log books are an invaluable record for any pilot — tracing the different aircraft types flown, distances and conditions they flew in.	Aerial fertilization New Zealand
The Arrival of a MOTAT Icon	As part of the Registry team's Collection Review we delve into researching the MOTAT Collection. Here is some research I have been undertaking.	K (Locomotive) New Zealand Railways Locomotives
Leo White: The Man Behind The Whites Aviation Collection	The Whites Aviation Collection spans some 70 years of history with categories covering the early aero clubs, trans-Tasman flights, the formation of the early airlines in New Zealand and other aviation events up to the 1970's.	Whites Aviation Limited Photographers Photography Aerial photography

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23 results. Displaying results 1 - 23.