Large gold text sits in a stacked formation inside a black shape that is round on the top and bottom and straight on the left and right side. The black shape sits on a gold background and is surrounded by black text along the border. 

This button is from the 1941 Office Equipment Display at the Palmer House in Chicago. It was the sixth annual Display sponsored by the Office Management Association of Chicago and ran from February 11th to February 14th. The presentation was open to business men and women, and created one of the best business years for office equipment manufacturers since the beginning of the annual Display. 

Red text on two white semi circles at the top and bottom with blue inbetween with white text on it and an outer blue edge on a white background

The Chicago Chemical Society was founded in 1887 as the Chicago branch of the American Chemical Society, which encourages scientific advancement through outreach, education, professional support, and other resources. 

Red text on a white background. 

This may be a button from the 1937 American Association of Nurserymen convention in Chicago.

The American Association of Nurserymen was founded in 1876 as a way to bring the community of nurserymen across the country together and offer gardening advice to the public. It is now known as the American Nursery & Landscape Association.

Red text on a yellow background. 

The World Fair that was held in Chicago from 1933-1934 to celebrate Chicago’s centennial had the motto “Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms”. However, the phrase “Hello Simoniz” on the button refers to the automobile cleaning and detailing products manufacturer. Originally called Simons Manufacturing Company, in 1912 Elmer Rich and RJ Rich acquired full ownership of the company and renamed it Simoniz. The company had its first office and factory located in Chicago on Michigan Avenue.  The company still exists today and currently uses the trademark to sell a spray on car polish called Liquid Diamond. This particular button was most likely meant to promote the business at the World Fair. 

A blue illustration of a beaver sitting in a forest background surrounded by blue text on a white background. 

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Blue text on white background.

"Vote for Wally and the Beaver" is in reference to Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro who made up the democratic presidential ticket in the 1984 election. A number of crude slogans were designed to poke fun at the Mondale-Ferraro ticket. Wally and the Beaver is in reference to characters from the popular TV show Leave it to Beaver but also utilizes the word "beaver" as slang for vagina. 

The 1984 election was a massive defeat for Mondale at the hands of the Ronald Reagan-George H.W Bush ticket. Mondale was able to win only 13 electoral votes to Reagan's 525. This election marks the second fewest votes in a presidential election - the least ever garnered was 8 by Alf Landon in the 1936 election. As a whole both Reagan campaigns (1980 and 1984) are considered to be "positive" campaigns and his years in office are refereed to as "good morning America". In an effort to expose Reagan, Mondale focused on what he saw was truth and admitted openly that he would raise taxes; his openness and honesty would mark his defeat much like Jimmy Carter in 1980.

An illustration of a beaver on a log between black text over a yellowed background. 

It is unclear if this button is from an event or is a button identifying members from Pennsylvania. The Improved Order of Red Men is a patriotic fraternity devoted to freedom, friendship, and charity. The society can trace it's origin to the Sons of Liberty, a group that fought against the English during the late 1700s, most famously by dumping tea into Boston Harbor. Several "Sons" secret societies came together in the 1800s, officially becoming the Improved Order of Red Men in 1834. They are still active today, promoting freedom and protection of the American way of life through having active "tribes across the United States. 

A sketch of a beaver  with black text above and below it and encircled by a red border with black text outside of that encircled again by a blue border on a white background. 

This may be a button used to identify enlisted veterans in Beaver County, Pennsylvania who put in war service during WWI. Being identified as enlisted veterans may have entitled them to certain programs started after WWI, like disability support, insurance, or vocational rehabilitation. 

Black text on an orange background. 

The Eager Beaver Society is a reference to a group formed in Beaver County, Pennsylvania and connected to the Westinghouse Electric Company founded in Pittsburgh. The company was started by legendary inventor, engineer, and businessman George Westinghouse in 1886. Based on his idea for an alternating-current transmission of electricity, the company became a leader in the advancement of technology throughout the next century. Today, Westinghouse technology continues its tradition of engineering excellence in the nuclear power industry.

A black and white illustration of a beaver wearing a baseball cap on a white background.  

This button features the mascot for the Busy Beaver Button Company. The company is based out of Chicago and is still active today. It was founded in 1995, and began modestly as a one-woman operation. Over the last two decades the company has grown having produced millions of buttons for a wide array of clients including NBC and the Art Institute of Chicago

The company is located in a vintage 1920s Chicago style storefront and utilizes a number of eco-friendly options. Among these green options are:  recycled steel for button parts, geothermal heating/cooling, eco-friendly insulation, solar panels, and local material suppliers. 

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the company, the Busy Beaver Button Museum was established. The museum is open to public.