Toy Bank: Building and Revolving Dog c. 1938

This drawing depicts a toy bank, featuring a building and a revolving dog, created by William O. Fletcher. The artistry here is not just in the design of the bank itself, but in how it reflects cultural values around domesticity, labor, and perhaps, even the illusion of upward mobility. The late 19th century, when Fletcher was active, saw an explosion of industrial production. Consider the function of a toy bank: it's not merely a plaything, it's a tool for instilling the values of saving and investment, particularly in children. The building and the revolving dog suggests a world of gentle, repetitive labor, domesticated within the confines of a home. This creates a narrative about progress and aspiration, neatly packaged for young consumers. But let's pause and ask, who is included and excluded from this vision of prosperity? Whose labor makes such comforts possible? How do we ensure equitable access to capital? These questions are not explicitly answered, yet they linger, inviting us to consider whose stories are told, and whose are left out, in the pursuit of the American dream.