White text on a black background

Voting began in the United States in 1776, but many populations have struggled to attain the privilege to vote. Barriers such as gender, race, property ownership, literacy, and ability prevented and still do prevent many people to vote. Because of these known past issues, some people decide not to vote citing reasons like wanting to avoid confrontations or barriers. Amendments have been made to the constitution specifying that no person should be turned away from voting due to gender or race. Over the years, many non-profit agencies have encouraged people to register to vote so that all votes and opinions can be accounted for. In the United States, voting registration is optional. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, many agencies have focused on getting marginalized and under-represented groups to the polls by marketing specifically for demographics or regions, such as Rock the Vote, When We All Vote, and NonProfit Vote.

Illustration of two people playing tug of war over a pair of pants

In 1858, Thomas A. Legler of Dayton, Ohio, opened a clothing house specializing in overalls, shirts, and coats for the working man. Undergoing several reorganizations during the second half of the 19th century, the business was finally named Legler, Barlow, & Company, or Legler & Co. for short. The company operated up until the 1910s in the Montgomery County region of Ohio.

Illustration of a white swan seen from the side on a green background

The Swan Soap was a brand of soap created Lever Brothers Company in 1941. It was an all-purpose soap and was advertised as being used in the kitchen, the bathroom, and for a baby. Swan soap was a floating soap like its competitor Ivory Soap. Lever sued Procter & Gamble for an infringed patent and won $5.675 million. The Swan Soap is now discontinued.

Illustration of a woman with black hair wearing a red shirt with black dots with black text over on a white background

This button was part of a set of 376 known buttons, issued as premiums primarily with Hassan and Tokio cigarettes. They featured cartoons by artists such as as Rube Goldberg, George McManus, Bud Fisher, Hal Hoffman, and others. This one has an illustration by Rudolph Dirks who was known for The Katzenjammer Kids. 

Blue, white and red illustration of a man in a long coat holding a large magnifying glass and wearing a red striped hat on a white background

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White text over a brownish background over a blue background with an illustration of a gold and black bee

A busy bee is an idiom that refers to a person who is active or busy. 

In a bee colony, there are three castes: the queen bee, worker bees, and drone bees. Worker bees, the ones referred to as busy bees, have several duties to the hive including collect food, build the nest, clean cells, guard the hive, and build wax. They are the smallest in size.

Yellow, black and white illustration of a zebra on a white background with black text

Zebras are native to Africa and feed on grass and occasionally shrubs, twigs and leaves. There are three different species of zebra: plains, mountain and Grevy’s zebra. Zebras are generally thought to have a white coat with black stripes, but under their coats they have black skin. Zebras have their own unique patterns and no two are alike. When zebras are in a group their combined stripes make it hard for predators to single out a zebra to chase.

This button was a give-away button from American Pepsin Gum Company. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800's used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid in digestion.  Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns.  

White text on a blue background

Xerox Corporation is an American office technology company headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut. Xerox started in 1906 as a photographic paper manufacturer and distributor before becoming the first manufacturer of plain paper copiers. In 1947, Xerox purchased the rights to technology known as xerography, a "dry" photocopying technique that uses no liquid chemicals. The first xerographic copier was introduced in 1959 with the company officially adopting Xerox as the corporation name in 1961. In the 1990s, Xerox created digital photocopiers, "bridging the gap" between paper and digital.

White text on a blue background

Before social security in 1936, many Americans relied upon insurance for their old age. Some trusted fraternal orders and benevolent societies. Sometimes these societies grew to become full fledged insurance agencies. The United States Benevolent Society of Saginaw, Michigan, operated from 1891-1901. It was reinsured as the United States Health & Accident Insurance Company, specializing in industrial and railway work and accidents. USH&A reinsured in 1914 and taken over by the Massachusetts Bonding and Insurance Company.

Illustration of a Seagull over black text on a white background

Seagulls are medium sized sea birds that eat insects, plants, reptiles and amphibians. They often steal food from other birds, animals and people. Seagulls can drink salt water because they possess exocrine glands that excrete excess salt from their bodies through their nostrils. Seagulls are intelligent birds that have been known to use bread crumbs to attract fish and use their feet to produce sounds that attract earthworms.

This button was a give-away button from American Pepsin Gum Company. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800's used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid in digestion.  Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns.