The mass-produced nail connects to broader themes in 19th-century history such as the development of the modern home and Westward expansion. The simple task of making the nail had led to multiple attempts and designs of alternate housing. The first attempt being the log cabin and with it the romanticism and stories that accompanied it. Abraham Lincoln's childhood and the depiction of a sturdy man with a modest background were tales that followed the log cabin. This house only needed wood and moss or mud to "seal" holes; however, it was not comfortable especially for people trying to ascertain the middle class. The second home that was attempted would be the brick or stone house. These were sturdy homes, but costly. They required a mason "skilled labor" and were not cost effective to transport the heavy materials. The third house is the post-and-beam, which again required skill laborers or experienced carpenters, which can be costly. The drawback to these two homes were their cost and time consumption. They limited the speed to move westward. Finally, the "Balloon-Frame" home revolutionized American home construction. By the time these came around, nails were mass produced and the production of nails was cheaper and quicker. They were easier to assemble due to the sheets of wood coming off assembly lines and no skilled labor was necessary. Due to the ease and speed of establishing these new homes which could even be mail ordered, westward expansion was easier. Having to spend less money and the ease of obtaining nails would afford settlers the opportunity to expand their future to the west.

The story of the nail relates to another explanation for westward expansion; it relates to the Gold Rush. Americans were eager to go and spread west because they thought they were going to be rich by way of "Gold, in them there hills!" Basically, the comparison is that Americans wanted to progress in their futures. In both stories, the progression of the American life is what is paramount to the settlers. There is no ecological consciousness, it is merely what the future might be.

The stereoscope connects to broader themes in 19th century history in a great many ways. One connection might be the evolution of technology. The stereoscope is a step up from a regular picture in that it uses two pictures to simulate a 3-D "adventure". After the stereoscope, technology segued into more immediate attractions like radio and tv. In the same manner, education has also evolved like technology with the stereoscope. Students began with books, pictures and the like, then were able to learn more with the introduction and donations of the stereoscope to local libraries. Students were able to see more of what they could learn. The stereoscope could also be the most-notable beginning of biases and prejudices. The company, Underwood and Underwood, used their financial and power gain to show the public what the company decided was best to show. For instance, the company used Roosevelt's speech to help shape cultural values. They "summed up" the situation that was taking place by including the information that the company wanted people to know. It was also a good way to demonstrate marketing because of the use of the students and veterans to help make sales.

Students might explore how technology for viewing images has changed over the course of history by finding videos on youtube. Students could watch the set up of various viewing technologies, like the laser disc, the VHS tapes, microfiche, etc. Students today do not need old people ranting to them about how easy they have it with Google; students need to experience the trauma of a tape unraveling or a scratched disk to understand the plight of the technology "back in the day".

Instant coffee connects to the broader theme of World War II and the growth of modern foods. Nobody ever thinks about the soldiers that went off to war when discussing a war because it's always been about who won and what started the war? The soldiers who had so bravely fought for our country were people; people that needed to be fed. Soldiers had to be strong to keep their mental clarity and physique to fight in the war. In order for them to get their proper nourishment, researchers had found that food gave them their vitamins and minerals and if soldiers were only given vitamins, they would still starve. So, the only solution was to formulate meals that would keep the soldiers strong and healthy. The plan deteriorated when the weight of the meals became a factor in how heavy their sacks would be when they carried them. Researchers determined that dehydrating food still maintained the nourishment the soldiers needed, but subtracted the weight from their sacks that they needed, too. In these K rations, the soldiers found coffee that merely needed water to rehydrate it among other food that was easy to eat and prepare when on the move. The shipping of these foods to the war site was also more compact and efficient. Due to the sudden end of the war and the stockpiling of dehydrated foods, manufacturers had a new problem. How were they going to try and sell this food to mainstream America? The solution was to market the "instant" foods to women and analyze what their preferences were.

The limitations of analyzing advertising was that prior to the war, women had defined roles in the household. They were specific to taking care of the children, making sure there was hot food on the table and cleaning. During the war, women had to take on a different role because their men had to go off to war. Suddenly, women were out in the job fields, making money and taking care of the house and children simultaneously. Analyzing advertising at these juncture would be difficult as there were still women stuck in the conventional roles in the household, while the other women were still working and preparing themselves for new roles in their homes and in society. Advertising "instant" food might be too progressive for some women, others might be ready to take the jump into the transition.

This dress was more than a dress. It was a symbol for women's rights. The white denoted the simplicity and severity of the cause, but it also showed the purity of women and the sanctity of marriage. Prior to the demonstration of this dress, women were thought of as property of a man and had no rights over their own bodies. This dress symbolizes the fight that these women endured to create a more equitable future for white women.

When in school, we were taught that women "fought" for the right to vote. In my mind, I only imagined that these women maybe picketed in front of political buildings. As I've dared to find more information about the actual women's suffrage movements, I've found that women did way more than picket. They spoke, they started fires and in essence, they grew a backbone. I would want to see newspaper articles that define the different demonstrations. I would want to know what people actually thought about these women, not just that some were for and some were against. I would want to see the actual ribbons that the suffragettes wore or the banners they created. I think I would also want to see the advertisements for the new trends of clothes for women and how they were marketed. I would want to see letters between the suffragettes and the president to know how he really felt and what he said when he succumbed.