Tamping Collection

Stump farmer prepares to blow out tamarack stump, Bonner County, Idaho, 1939. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Stump farmer prepares to blow out tamarack stump. Shown tamping in dynamite in prepared hole. Bonner County, Idaho

United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving)
NYH188440 United Mine Workers Certificate, 1890 (coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American

Using gunpowder in a stone quarry, 1867. Quarry worker tamping down a gunpowder charge before setting and lighting a fuse to blast away a section of rock

Jacques de Gheyn II (Dutch, 1565 - 1629), Elegantly Dressed Soldier Tamping His Caliver, c. 1597, pen and brown ink with gray wash on laid paper

Stone quarry worker tamping down a gunpowder charge ready to fit a fuse and blast away a section of rock. Chromolithograph from a childrens book published in 1867

Laying a gravel surface, compacting the base with a large roller, close-up

Laying brick paving, tamping the bricks level using a piece of wood and the reverse end of a hammer, close-up

Building a patio, tamping down hardcore using a roller

Preparing the sub-base for a patio, tamping down soil using a plate compactor

Laying turf, tamping down with rake, close-up

Using rake to tamp down soil over planted area

Man tamping hardcore laid along newly laid brick path, close-up

Man using hand rammer to tamp down hardcore on garden path, close-up

Boy patting down soil with hands, close-up

Tamping down soil with a rake, close-up

Tamping down turf with the back of a rake

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"Tamping: A Historical Journey of Strength and Precision" Step back in time to Rio de Janeiro in 1839, where slaves diligently worked together to create a majestic street. This captivating illustration from the "Voyage Pittoresque et Historique au Bresil" showcases their remarkable tamping skills, ensuring a solid foundation for the bustling city. Fast forward to Bonner County, Idaho in 1939, as we witness a stump farmer preparing to blow out a stubborn tamarack stump. Dorothea Lange's powerful photograph captures the determination on his face as he readies himself for this explosive task. Traveling further into history, we encounter an exquisite colored engraving of a United Mine Workers Certificate from 1890. The image depicts miners skillfully using gunpowder within stone quarries, showcasing their expertise in tamping down charges and expertly fitting fuses before blasting away rock formations. Jacques de Gheyn II's masterpiece painting transports us to another era—a elegantly dressed soldier meticulously tamping his caliver. The artist's attention to detail highlights not only the soldier's elegance but also his dedication and precision when handling firearms. From historical depictions to practical applications, our journey takes us through various modern scenarios. We witness stone quarry workers carefully tamping down gunpowder charges with utmost caution before igniting them with fuses. Moving onto construction sites, we observe skilled craftsmen laying gravel surfaces or brick pavings—tamping each layer with meticulous care using wooden tools or even the reverse end of hammers. Their unwavering focus ensures level ground and sturdy foundations that will withstand time. In residential settings too, we find individuals building patios or laying turf—each step involving careful tamping techniques. Whether compacting hardcore with rollers or using rakes over planted areas, these homeowners prioritize creating stable surfaces for outdoor enjoyment.