Drawing of Hat to Prevent Drowning, 10/14/1840
Because water safety and proper attire shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
Patent Drawing for G. L. Witsil’s Sandwiched Bread, 10/11/1881
“As a new article of manufacture, sandwiched bread or bread containing pieces of meat which have been distributed in a raw condition throughout the dough of which the bread is composed and have been cooked at the same time therewith, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.”
Tired of having to build those complicated sandwiches with their messy fillings? Or did you ever want the fruitcake experience, but with meat?
Drawing for a Submarine Boat, 09/09/1902
Inventor John P. Holland submitted this drawing of a submarine boat to the United States Patent Office in support of his application for a patent. Holland also designed the U.S. Navy’s first commissioned submarine, the eponymous USS Holland
Michael Jackson: Moonwalker, Gravity-defier, Performer & Patent Holder
Pop singer Michael Jackson was born on August 29 in 1958. Jackson was not only a performer but also a patent holder. Jackson was granted patent 5,255,452 for a “method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion.” That’s right—his famous leaning move in “Smooth Criminal” was made possible by a device he created to insert in his shoe. You can read the full story and see more drawings from his patent application here: http://blogs.archives.gov/aotus/?p=2574
George B. Jewett’s Artificial Leg, patented Aug. 22, 1865
Drawing of Hand Grenade, 08/20/1861
Clarence Birdseye’s Patent Number 1773079 - Method of Preparing Food Product, 08/12/1930
Frozen food was not the instant success that Clarence Birdseye had anticipated. Few Depression-era kitchens had freezers. Business picked up after World War II, but it wasn’t frozen fish or peas that were selling. It was frozen orange juice concentrate—a product that USDA scientists helped to improve.
via DocsTeach
Drawing of a Voting Machine, 08/10/1910
Election season is just around the corner - how do you cast your vote? On a paper ballot? Electronic? Absentee ballot? Do you pull a lever?
A chair like this seems perfect for a hot summer day!
Drawing of Rocking Chair and Fan, 08/07/1847
July 22 is Rat Catcher’s Day
Drawing of an Animal Trap by J. A. Williams, 12/26/1882
Wonder if Rube Goldberg or Wile E. Coyote ever happened upon this one?
This is the way we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes.
This is the way we wash our clothes, early Monday morning…
Drawing for a Washing Machine, 07/09/1844
Drawing of Improved Knapsack, Litter and Tent Combined, 07/07/1863
Up for some backcountry camping anyone?
s
Drawing for a Typewriter, 06/23/1868
In 1868, C. Lantham Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and Samuel W. Soule received a patent for their improved type-writing machine. In their application, they wrote that “the type-writer is the simplest, most perfectly adapted to its work…and in every way the best of all machines yet designed for the purpose.”
via DocsTeach
“Improvements in Road Vehicles”
This patent was granted to Charles Duryea on June 11, 1895, for “Improvements in Road-Vehicles” which he and his brother Frank had developed. The Duryeas produced the first successful American gasoline-powered automobile and later went on to help found the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, which produced 13 automobiles in 1896.
We’ve rotated the image of the Patent Drawing for the Duryea Road Vehicle, 06/11/1895 for your viewing pleasure.
via DocsTeach
Happy National Doughnut Day!
Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by the Salvation Army to honor women who handed out the yummy treats to soldiers during World War I and is celebrated on the first Friday of June.
Patent Drawing for G. W. Baier’s Cake or Doughnut Cutter, 09/13/1904
Some of you might wonder - didn’t we already post something for Doughnut Day back in November? Yes we did — on further research, it appears November 5 is “Doughnut Appreciation Day” — but who can argue with 2 days to celebrate doughnuts?
