Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

Alexia MacClain

Alexia MacClain is a Library Technician at the National Museum of American History Library. She began working for Smithsonian Libraries and Archives on the trade literature inventory project in 2005. In 2007, Alexia moved on to her current position as Library Technician. She continues to work with the Trade Literature Collection in addition to handling other library duties including interlibrary loan. Alexia holds a B.A. in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College.

How To Take a Product Line on the Road in the Early 20th Century

In the early 20th century, selling tonics and tinctures door-to-door meant having well-appointed wagons and cases for your wares