Curator's Picks

Enjoy a hand-picked selection of stories and features chosen by our Curatorial Director, offering fresh insight into the life, work, and legacy of John Hays Hammond Jr. and the Hammond family. From groundbreaking inventions in remote control and sound technology to personal histories and rarely seen artifacts, each entry highlights a unique facet of their lasting influence.

This series reflects our ongoing dedication to restoring Hammond’s rightful place in the canon of scientific and historical relevance, honoring his role not only as a prolific inventor but as a true visionary of the 20th century.

Hammond and the Age of Airships

It may be hard to imagine today, but about 100 years ago,...

Hammond Family Spotlight: Harris Hays Hammond

The first of the children to be born to John Hays Hammond...

Hammond Family Spotlight: John Coffee Hays

Born January 28, 1817 in Cedar Lick, Tennessee, John Coffee “Jack” Hays,...

Hammond Family Spotlight: John Hays Hammond Sr.

John Hays Hammond Sr. was the father of John Hays Hammond Jr....

Hammond Family Spotlight: Mary Elizabeth Hammond

Mary Elizabeth Hammond (1865-1943) was the younger sister of John Hays Hammond...

Hammond Family Spotlight: Natalie Hays Hammond

Born in Lakewood, New Jersey, where the Hammonds had a home, on...

Hammond Family Spotlight: Richard Pindle Hammond

Richard Pindle Hammond was born on August 25, 1896 in Bromley, London,...

Hammond in Comics

Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, and... John Hays Hammond Jr.? What do these...

The Jameson Raid

The Jameson Raid was undoubtedly the biggest debacle with which John Hays...

The Prisma Record

The “Prisma” Record was a rainbow-colored vinyl record designed and patented by...