With ice, snow, and inclement weather warnings on the way this weekend there are lots of things to be cautious and safe about. With all the tips, tricks, and hacks to stay warm and be prepared for the cold weather, there are also some vintage tips and tricks that can help as well. In a 1957 military order of "Things to Do Under Atomic, Biological, or Chemical Attack", there is an interesting guide on how to survive a nuclear attack in the age of nuclear anxiety. This pamphle

Today’s War Crime Wednesday is another common myth. This time, regarding bayonets. The idea is that bayonets that are serrated or triangular are a war crime. The truth is, neither of these are war crimes at all. Serrated bayonets were originally utilized by German combat engineers in World War One. Allied propaganda used these serrated edges to paint the Germans as savage monsters who only want to cause suffering. In reality, the serrated edge was primarily for cutting barbed

Habits can be hard to quit and with new year resolutions in full swing most of us have picked something to kick or a new goal to achieve. One of the most addicting habits, smoking, has had a significant history within the military. Today we focus on a package of Camel Turkish and Domestic Blend Cigarettes from World War II. This pack of cigarettes indicates a lot for the time period they came from. During World War I, cigarettes became a standard issue for soldiers on the fro

At some point, you may have heard that swords are classified as a war crime. This is a myth that often gets floated around but is just that, a myth. Swords have been used in war for about 5,000 years, starting in the Bronze Age and persisting through the Second World War. The idea that swords are a war crime likely stems from the Imperial Japanese military who have a well-documented history of abusing prisoners and civilians, which is a war crime. Swords just so happened to b

The classic bomber jackets renowned in movies such as Top Gun and Indiana Jones have a significant history within the Military. They were not just for warmth but were distributed for a practical use that contributed to the bomber jacket's iconic construction. This Friday, Captain Alfred Lee Cathcart's Air Force bomber jacket on display will be the feature for our Artifact Friday. Captain Cathcart's bomber jacket is a particular model of the Air Force bomber jacket. It is know

With the ease of technology today and advancements being made every year that passes, it is hard to remember the reliable technology of the past. A portable military stove from 1951 was as reliable as it got for military equipment in 1951. This military stove was designed to be small, compact, and reliable for soldiers whose surroundings changed consistently. This portable military stove in our collection is one in a series of M-1950 portable gasoline stoves. It was a single-

The festivities around the holidays never ceased no matter what time or place you happened to be. Parties and events typically fill up our schedules during this time just as it did Winter Hop Dance Card (1920-1921) over a hundred years ago for others. A nostalgic item from holiday parties is a winter hop dance card found at holiday events from a different time period. A dance card is a small booklet that usually has a string attached to it that would be tied to a ladies wrist

Fighting harsh winter conditions in the cold European winters during World War II was a feat in its own when it came to surviving the war. A staple during these times and a swift relief from the cold was a hot cup of coffee, sometimes the difference between a good or bad day. Innovative for the time, military hand-warmer mugs were produced from 1941 to 1945, specifically for the U.S. Navy. These mugs were typically made of milk glass, were about an inch thick, and were handle

On December 12, 1944, George Sewak was pronounced Missing in Action just days before the Battle of the Bulge. In a telegram sent to Sewak's mother, Mrs. Julia Sewak, it accounts that her son had gone missing in Germany and that she would be promptly notified of any changes. Right after being notified of her son's missing status, the Battle of the Bulge would begin on the Western front. The Battle of the Bulge commenced on December 16, 1944, and was a key turning point of Worl

We dedicate this Artifact Friday to the 2 nd  Battle of El Alamein, which took place on October 23, 1942. Every theatre of war has its turning point. In the pacific, it was the Battle of Midway. In Europe, the Invasion of Normandy. For the North Africa campaign, that turning point took place at the small Egyptian railroad town of El Alamein. It was here that the Panzerarmee Afrika, led by General Erwin “the Desert Fox” Rommel, was put on the backfoot by Lieutenant-General Ber

For a short time only, we have acquired a very peculiar part of history. The Antonov AN-2 stands proudly as the largest single engine biplane ever produced with an upper wingspan of 59ft 9in and a length of 40ft 8in. Originally designed in 1947 by the Antonov Design Bureau, the AN-2 was meant for use as a utility aircraft for forestry and agriculture. The Antonov Design Bureau was tasked by the Soviet Union to manufacture a plane that with high load capacity and reliability.

Although we are late to celebrate the United States Air Force’s birthday, September 18th , we are just in time to celebrate September...