-Squirrel and Tree Stump- mechanical bank c. 1881

This -Squirrel and Tree Stump- mechanical bank, was created by Robert E. Turnbull, a late 19th-century American artist. But this isn't simply an artwork, it's also a piece of social engineering. During the Industrial Revolution, financial institutions were looking for ways to instill the values of thrift and saving in the population. One strategy was to popularize coin banks, especially among children. This cast iron bank presents saving as a natural activity, mirroring the squirrel's instinct to store nuts for winter. Turnbull likely drew inspiration from popular culture and children's literature, which often featured animals with human-like qualities. The bank’s mechanism, which makes the squirrel deposit the coin into the tree stump, turns saving into a fun game, subtly teaching the value of capital accumulation. Understanding this bank requires us to look beyond its charming surface. We can delve into the history of banking, the rise of consumer culture, and the changing role of children in society. Only then can we fully appreciate the cultural work this playful object performs.