-Columbia Bank- still bank c. 1897

This -Columbia Bank- still bank was made out of cast iron in Columbia, Pennsylvania. It shows the inherent qualities of cast iron through its substance, weight, and form. The iron was heated to a molten state, then poured into a mold shaped like a miniature bank safe. The process involved skilled labor in the factory, reflecting the growing industrialization of America at the turn of the 20th century. The bank's solid feel and durability convey a sense of security, meant to encourage thriftiness in children. The green and black paint, now worn with age, suggests the bank was meant to resemble a real safe, teaching children about saving money and participating in the economic system. By considering the materials, the making process, and the social context, we can appreciate the still bank as more than just a child’s toy, but as a reflection of America’s industrial age.