-Strato Bank- mechanical bank c. 1950s - 1960s

Curator: What a shiny object! It looks like something out of a 1950s sci-fi film—optimistic, forward-thinking, and undeniably cool. I love the sleek, metallic finish and the whimsical design. Editor: You've hit on something there. This mechanical bank, -Strato Bank-, comes to us from roughly the 1950s to the 1960s and was produced by Duro Mold and Manufacturing. The materials include an assemblage of metal components shaped into something that belongs to the Pop Art style movement in the United States. What draws my attention is that it subtly encourages certain behaviors within particular communities. Curator: Precisely! The mid-20th century was all about futurism, about picturing technological advancement, about banks offering incentives. Putting these factors together and adding in figuration and geometric designs gives the viewers of the time and space ships to fuel their fantasies. But, please, tell me more about that subtle nudging. Editor: We might observe how banks used these to encourage not just children but adults too, in the culture of saving and investment for a "better" life. The bank has an inscription in the middle "Watch Your Savings Soar". How is this subtly playing on fears, dreams, hopes? The atomic age really inspired that cultural moment that emphasized individual achievement, national pride, and maybe even a touch of anxiety about falling behind. Curator: So true. It's not just a bank, it is an artifact that tells a complex story about the post-war economic landscape. Consider the role of these banks in promoting consumerism. A small child, likely middle-class or aspiring, could practice financial discipline, delayed gratification, and individualistic achievements, to get that brand-new convertible when they are of age! Editor: Right, these are essentially little tools of capitalism disguised as toys. It prompts one to consider what kind of labor practices are attached to its making and where did that wealth end up? It makes one reflect on accessibility and aspiration for specific identities during that time, especially in relation to class and race. Who could actually dream of -soaring- then, and who was excluded? Curator: Thank you for helping me see how everyday items carry multiple layers of meaning, far beyond their immediate utility. The museum has the task to contextualize artworks like this for broad audiences. Editor: And it is our job to look back with the tools of philosophy, theory, and history so that we can push for equitable futures today.