Artifacts

Question 1

Teddy Bear

Answer 1

Hunting trip in 1902. Cartoonist Clifford Berryman satirized it. Morris Mitchom asked TR for permission to make “Teddy’s Bear”. Ideal Novelty and Toy Company 1903. “ I don’t think my name will be worth much in the bear business, but you’re welcome to use it.”

Question 2

Briefcase “the football”
Officially, it is the “president’s emergency satchel”

Answer 2

JFK first called for a way to verify the president’s identity to the National Military Command Center.
Early nuclear war plan code-named “Dropkick” led to its name.

Question 3

Surrender towel

Answer 3

delivered to General George Custer, serving under General Philip Sheridan, by Captain R.M. Sims. Given by General Sheridan to Mrs. Custer, who later gave it to the Smithsonian.

Question 4

microphone from Fireside Chats

Answer 4

30*chats, roughly 2 per year during depression, 4/yr. during the war. White House mail increased from 800/day under Hoover to 8,000/day during the New Deal
*only 22 designated as FC
#28 was State of the Union at FC time

Question 5

White House Secret Service Uniformed Division uniform

Answer 5

for formal State occasions
first worn for visit from Harold Wilson, 1970
“Not the time for Gilbert & Sullivan at the White House “ John Walz, designer
“Ruritania on the Potomac”, NYT
“even ushers at old-time movie palaces were garbed with greater restraint and better taste “ Buffalo Evening News