← Twentieth century Negro literature
Chapter 32
Topic XXVII
THE NEGRO AS AN INVENTOR.
BY H. E. BAKER.
HENRY E. BAKER.
Henry E. Baker is one of the most useful men in Washington. His life stands out in strong contrast to that of so many of our educated colored men who have come to Washington, obtained positions in the government service, and shriveled up so far as public usefulness is concerned. He is an active member of the Berean Baptist Church, being its treasurer, an office he has held for several years. For ten years he has been secretary, the executive officer of the Industrial Building and Savings Company, and a director of the Capital Savings Bank. His most notable characteristic is his public spirit, having been connected with almost every well-directed movement in this city for the last fifteen years, looking to the betterment of the condition of his race, especially in the matter of opening up business opportunities for them. The estimation in which he is held by those who know him best is attested by the fact that he is almost invariably called to the position of treasurer in every organization of which he is a member. Born just before the War in Columbus, Miss., he attended the public school of his home and also the Columbus Union Academy. He passed the entrance examination at Annapolis, and was admitted into the Naval Academy as cadet midshipman in 1875, where he remained nearly two years. In 1877, he was appointed "copyist" in the United States Patent Office, where he is at present employed, and where he was promoted, through the several intervening grades, to the position of Second Assistant Examiner at $1,600 per annum. He attended the Ben-Hyde Benton School of Technology in this city from 1877 to 1879; entered the law department of Howard University in 1879, graduating in 1881, at the head of his class, and from the post-graduate course in 1883.
He was married in May, 1893, at Lexington, Ky., to Miss Violetta K. Clark, of Detroit, Mich., who graces a cozy home at 2348 Sixth Street, N. W.
It is quite within the mark to say that no class of men of modern times has made so distinct a contribution to what is popularly called "modern civilization" as have the inventors of the world, and it is equally within bounds to say that the American inventor has led all the rest in the practical utility as well as in the scientific perfection of his inventive skill. Within the century just past the inventors of America have done more than was done in all the preceding centuries to multiply the comforts and minimize the burdens of domestic life. What Washington and Grant, Sherman and Sheridan did for the glory of America was done, and more, by Whitney, Morse, Thompson, Howe, Ericsson, Colt, Bell, Corliss, Edison, McCormick, and a host of other Americans, native and naturalized, to promote the progress of American inventive skill, and thus firmly to establish this country in the front rank of the enlightened nations of the world.
The true measure of a nation's worth in the great family of nations is proportionate to that nation's contribution to the welfare and happiness of the whole; and similarly, an individual is measured by the contribution he makes to the well being of the community in which he lives. If inventions therefore have played the important part here assigned to them in the gradual development of our complex national life, it becomes important to know what contribution the American Negro has made to the inventive skill of this country.
Unfortunately for the seeker after this particular information the public records of the United States government offer practically no assistance, since the public records distinguish only as to nations and not as to races. The Englishman and the American may instantly find out how each stands in the list of patentees, but the Irishman and the Negro are kept in the dark—especially the latter.
The official records of the United States Patent Office, with a single exception, give no hint whatever that of the thousands of mechanical inventions for which patents are granted annually by the government, any patent has ever been granted to a Negro. The single exception was the name of Henry Blair of Maryland, to whom the public records refer as "a colored man," stating that he was granted a patent for a corn harvester in 1834 and another patent for a similar invention in 1836.
It is altogether safe to assume that this Henry Blair was a "free person of color," as the language of those days would have phrased it; for the government seemed committed to the theory that "a slave could not take out a patent for his invention." And this dictum gave rise to some rather embarrassing situations on more occasions than one. For instance, in 1857, a Negro slave, living with his master in the state of Mississippi, perfected a valuable invention which his master sought to have protected by a patent. Now, in law, a patent is a contract between the government and the inventor or his assignees. The slave, although the inventor, could not under the law be a party to a contract, and therefore could not secure the patent himself. His master applied for the patent, but was refused on the ground that inasmuch as he was not the inventor and could not be the assignee of a slave, he could not properly make the required oath. The master was not satisfied with this interpretation of the law by the Commissioner of Patents, and at once appealed from the latter's decision to the Secretary of the Interior, who, in 1858, referred the case to the Attorney-General of the United States. This latter official, who was Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, of Pennsylvania, confirmed the decision of the Commissioner of Patent, and neither master nor slave was ever able to get a patent for the slave's invention. This case reported on page 171 of volume 9, of "Opinions of Attorneys-General, United States."
Another instance of a similar character occurred a few years later, in 1862, when a slave belonging to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, invented a propeller for vessels. He constructed an excellent model of his invention, displaying remarkable mechanical skill in wood and metal working. He was not able to get his invention patented, but the merits of his invention were commented upon approvingly by a number of influential Southern newspapers, and his propeller was finally put in use by the Confederate navy. With the barrier of slavery cast aside, a new opportunity was opened to the Negro inventor, and the purpose of this article is to show what use he has made of that opportunity.
It must still be borne in mind that the records of the United States Patent Office do not show whether a patentee is a Negro or a Caucasian, and that to ascertain what the Negro has accomplished in the field of invention other sources of information had to be utilized; and finally, that the very omission from the public records of all data calculated to identify a given invention with the Negro race completely destroys the possibility of arriving at any definite conclusion as to the exact number and character of negro inventions.
Judging from what has been duly authenticated as Negro inventions patented by the United States, it is entirely reasonable to assume that many hundreds of valuable inventions have been patented by Negro inventors for which the race will never receive due credit. This is the more unfortunate since the race now, perhaps, more than ever before, needs the help of every fact in its favor to offset as far as possible the many discreditable things that the daily papers are all too eager to publish against it.
It appears that no systematic effort was ever made by the government to collect information as to the number of inventions by Negroes until January, 1900, when the then Commissioner of Patents, Hon. Charles H. Duell, undertook the task. Previous to that time the United States Patent Office had received numerous requests from all parts of the country for information on that point, and the uniform reply was that the official records of the Patent Office did not show whether an inventor was colored or white, and that the office had no way of obtaining such information.
Notwithstanding this fact, however, an employee of the Patent Office had undertaken to collect a list of such patents, and this list was used in selecting a small exhibit of Negro inventions. First, for the Cotton Centennial at New Orleans, in 1884; again for the World's Fair at Chicago, in 1893; and, lastly, for the Southern Exposition at Atlanta in 1895. But it was reserved for the United States Commission to the Paris Exposition of 1900 to make the first definite effort to obtain this information, and at its request the following letter by the Commissioner of Patents was addressed to hundreds of patent lawyers throughout the country, to large manufacturing establishments, to the various newspapers edited by colored men, and to prominent men of the race:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
United States Patent Office.Washington, D. C., Jan. 26, 1900.
Dear Sir:
This Office is endeavoring to obtain information concerning patents issued to colored inventors, in accordance with a request from the United States Commission to the Paris Exposition of 1900, to be used in preparing the "Negro Exhibit."
To aid in this work, you are requested to send to this Office, in the enclosed envelope, which will not require a postage stamp, the names of any colored inventors you can furnish, together with the date of grant, title of invention, and patent number, so that a list without errors can be prepared.
You will confer a special favor by aiding in the preparation of this list by filling in the blank form below, and sending in any replies as promptly as possible. Should you be unable to furnish any data, will you kindly inform us of that fact?
Very respectfully,
C. H. Duell,
Commissioner of Patents.===============================================================================
| NAME. | NUMBER. | DATE. | INVENTION. |
+----------------+--------------------+----------------+----------------------+
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
+----------------+--------------------+----------------+----------------------+
The replies to this letter showed that the correspondents personally knew of and could identify by name, date and number more than four hundred patents granted by the United States to colored inventors. The letters also showed that nearly as many more colored inventors had completed their inventions, and had applied to patent lawyers throughout the country for assistance in obtaining patents for their inventions, but finally abandoned the effort through lack of means to prosecute their applications. The list of the patented inventions as furnished mainly by the letters above named is printed below, and shows that, beginning first with agricultural implements and culinary utensils, which circumscribed the character of his earlier employment, the Negro inventor gradually widened the field of his inventive effort until he had well nigh covered the whole range of patentable subjects.
A study of the list will disclose the fact that the Negro inventor has very often, like his white brother, caught the spirit of invention, and not being contented with a single success, has frequently been led to exert his energies along many different lines of inventions.
Elijah McCoy, of Detroit, Mich., heads the list with twenty-eight patents, relating particularly to lubricating appliances for engines both stationary and locomotive, but covering also a large variety of other subjects. The next is Granville T. Woods, of Cincinnati, whose inventions are confined almost exclusively to electricity, and cover a very wide range of devices for the utilitarian application of this wonderful force. Mr. W. B. Purvis, of Philadelphia, comes next with sixteen patents relating especially to paper bag machinery, but including a few other subjects as well. Mr. F. J. Ferrell, of New York, has ten patents on valves adapted for a variety of uses. Then comes ex-Congressman Geo. W. Murray of South Carolina, with eight patents on agricultural implements. Mr. Henry Creamer has seven patents on steam traps, and more than a dozen among the number have patented as many as five different inventions.
Time and space will not admit of any extended notice of many individual patentees, but mention should be made of a few of them.
Granville T. Woods is called the "Black Edison" because of his persistent and successful investigations into the mystery of electricity. Among his inventions may be found valuable improvements in telegraphy, important telephone instruments, a system for telegraphing from moving trains, an electric railway, a phonograph, and an automatic cut-off for an electric circuit. One of his telephone inventions was sold to the American Bell Telephone Company, who is said to have paid Mr. Woods handsomely for his patent. Mr. Ferrell's inventions of valves laid the foundation for a large and highly successful manufacturing and commercial enterprise which he now conducts in the city of New York.
Mr. Elijah McCoy succeeded in placing his lubricators on many of the steam car and steamboat engines in the northwest and also on some of the ocean steamers, and from these he receives a valuable annual royalty.
Mr. Matzeliger, of Massachusetts, is credited with being the pioneer in the art of attaching soles to shoes by machinery; and Mr. Joseph Lee, of Boston, is said to have placed his kneading machine in many of the first-class bakeries and hotels in Boston and New York, from which he receives a substantial royalty.
So far as is known to the writer Miss Miriam E. Benjamin, of Massachusetts, is the only colored woman who has received a patent for an invention, and the principle of her invention, that of a gong signal, has just been adopted in the United States House of Representatives in signalling for the pages to attend upon members who want them for errands. Formerly the pages were signalled by members clapping their hands, and the noise incident to this method was frequently a great disturbance of the House proceedings. The new system just adopted involves merely the pressing of a button on the member's chair, and this rings a small gong while displaying a signal on the back of the chair.
Another invention by a young colored man which has attracted considerable attention is the rapid-fire gun by Mr. Eugene Burkins, of Chicago. This gun has been examined by officers of the War and Navy Departments, and has been pronounced a valuable contribution to the scientific equipments for military and naval warfare.
The following description of Mr. Burkins' gun appeared in Howard's American Magazine some months ago:
"A brief description of the gun is not exactly out of place, although the Scientific American and other technical journals have long since given it to the world. It is an improvement upon all that has yet been done in the way of ordnance, and the principles involved in its construction can be applied to any size of gun, from a one-inch barker to a thirty-six-inch thunderer. The model as it now stands weighs 475 pounds, measures four inches at breech, and is constructed of the finest of gun brass at a cost of $3,500. There is a magazine at the breech in which a large number of heavy shells can be held in reserve, and in the action of the gun these slip down to their places and are fired at the rate of fourteen a minute, an improvement on the Maxim gun of four shots. The gun is elevated upon a revolving turret with electrical connections, enabling the gunner to direct the action of the machine with a touch of his finger. Firing, reloading and ejection of shells are all effected by electricity, and a child could conduct the work of manning the gun as easily as anyone."
These inventions show how completely in error are those who constantly assert that the Negro has made no lasting contribution to the civilization of the age, and they prove conclusively that under favorable environment he is capable of performing his whole duty in the work of mankind whether it be tilling the earth with his hoe or advancing the world by his thought.
LIST OF COLORED INVENTORS IN THE UNITED STATES AS FURNISHED FOR THE PARIS EXPOSITION, 1900.
Inventor. Invention. Date. Number.
Abrams, W. B. Hame Attachment Apr, 14, 1891. 450,550
Allen, C. W. Self-Leveling Table Nov. 1, 1898. 613,436
Allen, J. B. Clothes Line Support Dec. 10, 1895. 551,105
Ashbourne, A. P. Process for Preparing Cocoanut for Domestic
Use June 1, 1875. 163,962
Ashbourne, A. P. Biscuit Cutter Nov. 30, 1875. 170,460
Ashbourne, A. P. Refining Cocoanut Oil July 27, 1880. 230,518
Ashbourne, A. P. Process of Treating Cocoanut Aug. 21, 1877. 194,287
Blair, H. Corn Planter Oct. 14, 1834.
Bailey, L. C. Combined Truss and Bandage Sept. 25, 1883. 285,545
Blair, Henry Cotton Planter Aug. 31, 1836.
Bailey, L. C. Folding Bed July 18, 1899. 629,286
Bailes, Wm. Ladder Scaffold Support Aug. 5, 1879. 218,154
Bailiff, C. O. Shampoo Headrest Oct. 11, 1898. 612,008
Ballow, W. J. Combined Hatrack and Table Mar. 29, 1898. 601,422
Barnes, G. A. E. Design for Sign Aug. 19, 1898. 29,193
Beard, A. J. Rotary Engine July 5, 1892. 478,271
Beard, A. J. Car-coupler Nov. 23, 1897. 594,059
Becket, G. E. Letter Box Oct. 4, 1892. 483,525
Bell, L. Locomotive Smoke Stack May 23, 1871. 115,153
Bell, L. Dough Kneader Dec. 10, 1872. 133,823
Benjamin, L. W. Broom Moisteners and Bridles May 16, 1893. 497,747
Benjamin, Miss M. E. Gong and Signal Chairs for Hotels July 17, 1888. 386,286
Blackburn, A. B. Railway Signal Jan. 10, 1888. 376,362
Blackburn. A. B. Spring Seat for Chairs Apr. 3, 1888. 380,420
Blackburn, A. B. Cash Carrier Oct. 23, 1888. 391,577
Blue, L. Hand Corn Shelling Device May 20, 1884. 298,937
Binga, M. W. Street Sprinkling Apparatus July 22, 1879. 217,843
Booker, L. F. Design Rubber Scraping Knife Mar. 28, 1899. 30,404
Boone, Sarah Ironing Board Apr. 26, 1892. 473,653
Bowman, H. A. Making Flags Feb. 23, 1892. 469,395
Brooks, C. B. Punch Oct. 31, 1893. 507,672
Brooks, C. B. Street-Sweepers Mar. 17, 1896. 556,711
Brooks, C. B Street-Sweepers May 12, 1896. 560,154
Brooks, Hallstead and Page Street-Sweepers Apr. 21, 1896. 558,719
Brown, Henry Receptacle for Storing and Preserving Papers Nov. 2, 1886. 352,036
Brown, L. F. Bridle Bit Oct. 25, 1892. 484,994
Brown, O. E. Horseshoe Aug. 23, 1892. 481,371
Brown & Latimer Water Closets for Railway Cars Feb. 10, 1874. 147,363
Burr, J. A. Lawn Mower May 9, 1899. 624,749
Burr, W. F. Switching Device for Railways Oct. 31, 1899. 636,197
Burwell, W. Boot or Shoe Nov. 28, 1899. 638,143
Butler, R. A. Train Alarm June 15, 1897. 584,540
Butts, J. W. Luggage Carrier Oct. 10, 1899. 634,611
Byrd, T. J. Improvement in Holders for Reins for Horses Feb. 6, 1872. 123,328
Byrd. T. J. Apparatus for Detaching Horses
from Carriages Mar. 19, 1872. 124,790
Byrd, T. J. Improvement in Neck Yokes for Wagons Apr. 30, 1872. 126,181
Byrd, T. J. Improvement in Car-Couplings Dec. 1, 1874. 157,370
Burkins, Eugene Rapid-Fire Gun 649,433
Campbell, W. S. Self-Setting Animal Trap Aug. 30, 1881. 246,369
Cargill, B. F. Invalid Cot July 25, 1899. 629,658
Carrington, T. A Range July 25, 1876. 180,323
Carter, W. C. Umbrella Stand Aug. 4, 1885. 323,397
Certain, J. M. Parcel Carrier for Bicycles Dec. 26, 1899. 639,708
Cherry, M. A. Velocipede May 8, 1888. 382,351
Church, T. S. Carpet Beating Machine July 29, 1884. 302,237
Cherry, M. A. Street Car Fender Jan. 1, 1895. 531,908
Clare, O. B. Trestle Oct. 9, 1888. 390,753
Coates, R. Overboot for Horses Apr. 19, 1892. 473,295
Cook, G. Automatic Fishing Device May 30, 1899. 625,829
Coolidge, J. S. Harness Attachment Nov. 13, 1888. 392,908
Cooper, A. R. Shoemaker's Jack Aug. 22, 1899. 631,519
Cooper, J. Shutter and Fastening May 1, 1883. 276,563
Cooper, J. Elevator Device Apr. 2, 1895. 536,605
Cooper, J. Elevator Device Sept. 21, 1897. 590,257
Cornwell, P. W. Draft Regulator Oct. 2, 1888. 390,284
Cornwell, P. W. Draft Regulator Feb. 7, 1893. 491,082
Cralle, A. L. Ice-Cream Mold Feb. 2, 1897. 576,395
Creamer, H. Steam Feed Water Trap Mar. 17, 1885. 313,854
Creamer, H. Steam Traps Mar. 8, 1887. 358,964
Creamer, H. Steam Traps Jan. 17, 1888. 376,586
Creamer, H. Steam Trap Feeder Dec. 11, 1888. 394,463
Creamer, H. Steam Trap May 28, 1889. 404,174
Creamer, H. Steam Trap Aug. 18, 1891. 457,983
Creamer, H. Steam Trap Nov. 21, 1893. 509,202
Cosgrove, W. F. Automatic Stop Plug for Gas Oil Pipes Mar. 17, 1885. 313,993
Darkins, J. T. Ventilation Feb. 19, 1895. 534,322
Davis, I. D. Tonic Nov. 2, 1886. 351,829
Davis, W. D. Riding Saddles Oct. 6, 1896. 568,939
Davis, W. R., Jr. Library Table Sept. 24, 1878. 208,378
Deitz, W. A. Shoe Apr. 30, 1867. 64,205
Dorticus, C. J. Device for Applying Coloring Liquids to
Sides of Soles or Heels of Shoes Mar. 19, 1895. 535,820
Dickinson, J. H. Pianola Detroit, Mich., 1899.
Dorticus, C. J. Machine for Embossing Photo Apr. 16, 1895. 537,422
Dorticus, C. J. Photographic Print Wash Apr. 23, 1895. 537,968
Dorticus, C. J. Hose Leak Stop July 18, 1899. 629,315
Downing, P. B. Electric Switch for Railroad June 17, 1890. 430,118
Downing, P. B. Letter Box Oct. 27, 1891. 462,093
Downing, P. B. Street Letter Box Oct. 27, 1891. 462,096
Dunnington, J. H. Horse Detachers Mar. 18, 1897. 578,979
Dorsey, O. Door-Holding Device Dec. 10, 1878. 210,764
Edmonds, T. H. Separating Screens July 20, 1897. 586,724
Elkins, T. Dining, Ironing Table and Quilting
Frame Combined Feb. 22, 1870. 100,020
Elkins, T. Chamber Commode Jan. 9, 1872. 122,518
Elkins, T. Refrigerating Apparatus Nov. 4, 1879. 221,222
Evans, J. H. Convertible Settees Oct. 5, 1897. 591,095
Faulkner, H. Ventilated Shoe Apr. 20, 1890. 426,495
Ferrell, F. J. Steam Trap Feb. 11, 1890. 420,993
Ferrell, F. J. Apparatus for Melting Snow May 27, 1890. 428,670
Ferrell, F. J. Valve May 27, 1890. 428,671
Ferrell, F. J. Valve Apr. 14, 1891. 450,451
Ferrell, F. J. Valve Nov. 10, 1891. 462,762
Ferrell, F. J. Valve Jan. 26, 1892. 467,796
Ferrell, F. J. Valve Feb. 2, 1892. 468,242
Ferrell, F. J. Valve Feb. 9, 1892. 468,334
Ferrell, F. J. Valve Jan. 17, 1893. 490,227
Ferrell, F. J. Valve July 18, 1893. 501,497
Fisher, D. A. Joiners' Clamp Apr. 20, 1875. 162,281
Fisher, D. A. Furniture Castor Mar. 14, 1876. 174,794
Flemming, R. F., Jr. Guitar Mar. 3, 1886. 338,727
Goode, Sarah E. Folding Cabinet Bed July 14, 1885. 322,177
Grant, G. F. Golf-Tee Dec. 12, 1899. 638,920
Grant, W. S. Curtain Rod Support Aug. 28, 1894. 525,203
Gregory, J. Motor Apr. 26, 1887. 361,937
Gray, R. H. Cistern Cleaners Apr. 9, 1895. 537,151
Grenon, H. Razor Stropping Device Feb. 18, 1896. 554,867
Griffin, F. W. Pool Table Attachment June 13, 1899. 626,902
Gunn, S. W. Boot or Shoe Jan. 16, 1900. 641,642
Haines, J. H. Portable Basin Sept. 28, 1897. 590,833
Hammonds, J. F. Apparatus for Holding Yarn Skeins Dec. 15, 1896. 572,985
Harding, F. H. Extension Banquet Table Nov. 22, 1898. 614,468
Hawkins, J. Gridiron Mar. 26, 1845. 3,973
Hawkins, R. Harness Attachment Oct. 4, 1887. 370,943
Headen, M. Foot Power Hammer Oct. 5, 1886. 350,363
Hearness, R. Sealing Attachment for Bottles Feb. 15, 1898. 598,929
Hearness, R. Detachable Car Fender July 4, 1899. 628,003
Hilyer, A. F. Water Evaporator Attachmentfor Hot
Air Registers Aug. 26, 1890. 435,095
Hilyer, A. F. Registers Oct. 14, 1890. 438,159
Holmes, E. H. Gage Nov. 12, 1895. 549,513
Hunter, J. H. Portable Weighing Scales Nov. 3, 1896. 570,553
Hyde, R. N. Composition for Cleaning and
Preserving Carpets Nov. 6, 1888. 392,205
Jackson, B. F. Heating Apparatus Mar. 1, 1898. 599,985
Jackson, B. F. Matrix Drying Apparatus May 10, 1898. 603,879
Jackson. B. F. Gas Burner Apr. 4, 1899. 622,482
Jackson, H. A. Kitchen Table Oct. 6, 1896. 569,135
Jackson, W. H. Railway Switch Mar. 9, 1897. 578,641
Jackson, W. H. Railway Switch Mar. 16, 1897. 593,665
Jackson. W. H. Automatic Locking Switch Aug. 23, 1898. 609,436
Johnson, D. Rotary Dining Table Jan. 15, 1888. 396,089
Johnson, D. Lawn Mower Attachment Sept. 10, 1889. 410,836
Johnson, D. Grass Receivers for Lawn Mowers June 10, 1890. 429,629
Johnson, I. R. Bicycle Frame Oct. 10, 1899. 634,823
Johnson, P. Swinging Chairs Nov. 15, 1881. 249,530
Johnson, P. Eye Protector Nov. 2, 1880. 234,039
Johnson, W. Velocipede June 20, 1899. 627,335
Johnson, W. A. Paint Vehicle Dec. 4, 1888. 393,763
Johnson, W. H. Overcoming Dead Centers Feb. 4, 1896. 554,223
Johnson, W. H. Overcoming Dead Centers Oct. 11, 1898. 612,345
Johnson. W. Egg Beater Feb. 5, 1884. 292,821
Jones & Long Caps for Bottles Sept. 13, 1898. 610,715
Joyce, J. A. Ore Bucket Apr. 26, 1898. 603,143
Latimer, L. H. Manufacturing Carbons June 17, 1882. 252,386
Latimer, L. H. Apparatus for Cooling and Disinfecting Jan. 12, 1886. 334,078
Latimer, L. H. Locking Racks for Hats, Coats and Umbrellas Mar. 24, 1896. 557,076
Lavalette, W. A. Printing Press Sept. 17, 1878. 208,208
Lee, H. Animal Trap Feb. 12, 1867. 61,941
Lee, J. Kneading Machine Aug. 7, 1894. 524,042
Lee, J. Bread Crumbing Machine June 4, 1895. 540,553
Leslie, F. W. Envelope Seal Sept. 21, 1897. 590,325
Lewis, A. L. Window Cleaner Sept. 27, 1892. 483,359
Lewis, E. R. Spring Gun May 3, 1887. 362,096
Linden, H. Piano Truck Sept. 8, 1891. 459,365
Little, E. Bridle-Bit Mar. 7, 1882. 254,666
Loudin, F. J. Sash Fastener Dec. 12, 1892. 510,432
Loudin, F. J. Key Fastener Jan. 9, 1894. 512,308
Love, J. L. Plasterers' Hawk July 9, 1895. 542,419
Love, J. L. Pencil Sharpener Nov. 23, 1897. 594,114
Marshall, W. Grain Binder May 11, 1886. 341,589
Marshall, T. J. Fire Extinguisher May 26, 1872. 125,063
Martin, W. A. Lock July 23, 1889. 407,738
Martin, W. A. Lock Dec. 30, 1890. 443,945
Matzeliger, J. E. Mechanism for Distributing Tacks Nov. 26, 1899. 415,726
Matzeliger, J. E. Nailing Machine Feb. 25, 1896. 421,954
Matzeliger, J. E. Tack Separating Mechanism Mar. 25, 1890. 423,937
Matzeliger, J. E. Lasting Machine Sept. 22, 1891. 459,899
McCoy, E. Lubricator for Steam Engines July 2, 1872. 129,843
McCoy, E. Lubricator for Steam Engines Aug. 6, 1872. 130,305
McCoy, E. Lubricator May 27, 1873. 139,407
McCoy, E. Steam Lubricator Jan. 20, 1874. 146,697
McCoy, E. Ironing Table May 12, 1874. 150,876
McCoy, E. Steam Cylinder Lubricator Feb. 1, 1876. 173,032
McCoy, E. Steam Cylinder Lubricator July 4, 1876. 179,585
McCoy, E. Lubricator Mar. 28, 1882. 255,443
McCoy, E. Lubricator July 18, 1882. 261,166
McCoy, E. Lubricator Jan. 9, 1883. 270,238
McCoy, E. Lawn Sprinkler Design Sept. 26, 1899. 631,549
McCoy, E. Steam Dome June 16, 1885. 320,354
McCoy, E. Lubricator June 16, 1885. 320,379
McCoy, E. Lubricator Feb. 8, 1887. 357,491
McCoy, E. Lubricator Attachment Apr. 19, 1887. 361,435
McCoy, E. Lubricator for Safety Valves May 24, 1887. 363,529
McCoy, E. Lubricator May 29, 1888. 383,745
McCoy, E. Lubricator May 29, 1888. 383,746
McCoy & Hodges Lubricator Dec. 24, 1889. 418,139
McCoy, E. Dope Cup Sept. 29, 1891. 460,215
McCoy, E. Lubricator Dec. 29, 1891. 465,875
McCoy, E. Lubricator Mar. 1, 1892. 470,163
McCoy, E. Lubricator Apr. 5, 1892. 472,066
McCoy, E. Lubricator June 6, 1893. 498,809
McCoy, E. Lubricator Sept. 13, 1898. 610,634
McCoy, E. Lubricator Oct. 4, 1898. 611,759
McCoy, E. Lubricator Nov. 15, 1898. 614,307
McCoy, E. Lubricator June 27, 1899. 627,623
McCree, D. Portable Fire Escape Nov. 11, 1890. 440,322
Mendenhall, A. Holder for Driving Reins Nov. 28, 1899. 637,811
Miles, A. Elevator Oct. 11, 1887. 371,207
Mitchell, C. L. Phoneterisin Jan. 1, 1884. 291,071
Mitchell, J. M. Cheek Row Corn Planter Jan. 16, 1900. 641,462
Moody, W. U. Game Board Design May 11, 1897. 27,046
Morehead, K. Reel Carrier Oct. 6, 1896. 568,916
Murray, G. W. Combined Furrow Opener and Stalk-knocker Apr. 10, 1894. 517,960
Murray, G. W. Cultivator and Marker Apr. 10, 1894. 517,961
Murray, G. W. Planter June 5, 1894. 520,887
Murray, G. W. Cotton Chopper June 5, 1894. 520,888
Murray, G. W. Fertilizer Distributer June 5, 1894. 520,889
Murray, G. W. Planter June 5, 1894. 520,890
Murray, G. W. Combined Cotton Seed June 5, 1894. 520,891
Murray, G. W. Planter and Fertilizer Distributer Reaper June 5, 1894. 520,892
Murray, W. Attachment for Bicycles Jan. 27, 1891. 445,452
Nance, L. Game Apparatus Dec. 1, 1891. 464,035
Nash, H. H. Life Preserving Stool Oct. 5, 1875. 168,519
Newman, Miss L.D. Brush Nov. 15, 1898. 614,335
Newson, S. Oil Heater or Cooker May 22, 1894. 520,188
Nichols & Latimer Electric Lamp Sept. 13, 1881. 247,097
Nickerson, W. J. Mandolin and Guitar Attachment
for Pianos June 27, 1899. 627,739
O'Conner & Turner Alarm for Boilers Aug. 25, 1896. 566,612
O'Conner & Turner Steam Gage Aug. 25, 1896. 566,613
O'Conner & Turner Alarm for Coasts Containing Vessels Feb. 8, 1898. 598,572
Outlaw, J. W. Horseshoes Nov. 15, 1898. 614,273
Perryman, F. R. Caterers' Tray Table Feb. 2, 1892. 468,038
Peterson, H. Attachment for Lawn Mowers Apr. 30, 1889. 402,189
Phelps, W. H. Apparatus for Washing Vehicles Mar. 23, 1897. 579,242
Pickering, J. F. Air Ship Feb. 20, 1900. 643,975
Pickett, H. Scaffold June 30, 1874. 152,511
Pinn, T. B. File Holder Aug. 17, 1880. 231,355
Polk, A. J. Bicycle Support Apr. 14, 1896. 558,103
Pugsley, A. Blind Stop July 29, 1890. 433,306
Purdy & Sadgwar Folding Chair June 11, 1889. 405,117
Purdy, W. Device for Sharpening Edged Tools Oct. 27, 1896. 570,337
Purdy, W. Device for Sharpening Edged Tools Aug. 16, 1898. 609,367
Purdy, W. Device for Sharpening Edged Tools Aug. 1, 1899. 630,106
Purdy & Peters Design for Spoons Apr. 23, 1895. 24,228
Purvis, W. B. Bag Fastener Apr, 25, 1882. 256,856
Purvis, W. B. Hand Stamp Feb. 27, 1883. 273,149
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Feb. 12, 1884. 293,353
Purvis, W. B. Fountain Pen Jan. 7, 1890. 419,065
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Jan. 28, 1890. 420,099
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine June 24, 1890. 430,684
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Aug. 19, 1890. 434,461
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Sept. 2, 1890. 435,524
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Sept. 22, 1891. 460,093
Purvis, W. B. Electric Railway May 1, 1894. 519,291
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine May 8, 1894. 519,348
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine May 8, 1894. 519,349
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Dec. 11, 1894. 530,650
Purvis, W. B. Magnetic Car Balancing Device May 21, 1895. 539,542
Purvis, W. B. Paper Bag Machine Mar. 9, 1897. 578,361
Purvis, W. B. Electric Railway Switch Aug. 17, 1897. 588,176
Queen, W. Guard for Companion Ways and Hatches Aug. 18, 1891. 458,131
Ray, E. P. Chair Supporting Device Feb. 21, 1899. 620,078
Ray, L. P. Dust Pan Aug. 3, 1897. 587,607
Reed, J. W Dough Kneader and Roller Sept. 23, 1884. 305,474
Reynolds, R. R. Non-Refillable Bottle May 2, 1899. 624,092
Reynolds, H. H. Window Ventilator for R. R. Cars Apr. 3, 1883. 275,271
Reynolds, H. H. Safety Gate for Bridges Oct. 7, 1890. 437,937
Rhodes, J. B. Water Closets Dec. 19. 1899. 639,290
Richardson, A. C. Hame Fastener Mar. 14, 1882. 255,022
Richardson, A. C. Churn Feb. 17, 1891. 446,470
Richardson, A. C. Casket Lowering device Nov. 13, 1894. 529,311
Richardson, A. C. Insect Destroyer Feb. 28, 1899. 620,362
Richardson, A. C. Bottle Dec. 12, 1899. 638,811
Richardson, W. H. Cotton Chopper June 1, 1886. 343,140
Richardson, W. H. Child's Carriage June 18, 1889. 405,599
Richardson, W. H. Child's Carriage June 18, 1889. 405,600
Richey, C. V. Car Coupling June 15, 1897. 584,650
Richey, C. V. Railroad Switch Aug. 3, 1897. 587,657
Richey, C. V. Railroad Switch Oct. 26, 1897. 592,448
Richey, C. V. Fire Escape Bracket Dec. 28, 1897. 596,427
Richey, C. V. Combined Hammock and Stretcher Dec. 13, 1898. 615,907
Rickman, A. L. Overshoe Feb. 8, 1898. 598,816
Ricks, J. Horseshoe Mar. 30, 1886. 338,781
Ricks, J. Overshoe for Horses June 6, 1899. 626,245
Robinson, E. R. Electric Railway Trolley Sept. 19, 1893. 505,370
Robinson, E. R. Casting Composite Nov. 23, 1897. 594,286
Robinson, J. H. Life Saving Guards for Locomotives Mar. 14, 1899. 621,143
Robinson, J. H. Life Saving Guards for Street Cars Apr. 25, 1899. 623,929
Robinson, J. Dinner Pail Feb. 1, 1887. 356,852
Romain, A. Passenger Register Apr. 23, 1889. 402,035
Roster, D. N. Feather Curler Mar. 10, 1896. 556,166
Ross, A. L. Runner for Stops Aug. 4, 1896. 565,301
Ross, A. L. Bag Closure June 7, 1898. 605,343
Ross, J. Bailing Press Sept. 5, 1899. 632,539
Ross, A. L. Trousers Support Nov. 28, 1899. 638,068
Ruffin, S. Vessels for Liquids and Manner of Sealing Nov. 20, 1899. 737,603
Russell, L. A. Guard Attachment for Beds Aug. 13, 1895. 544,381
Sampson, G. T. Sled Propeller Feb. 17, 1885. 312,388
Sampson, G. T. Clothes Drier June 7, 1892. 476,416
Scottron, S. R. Adjustable Window Cornice Feb. 17, 1880. 224,732
Scottron, S. R. Cornice Jan. 16, 1883. 270,851
Scottron, S. R. Pole Tip Sept. 21, 1886. 349,525
Scottron, S. R. Curtain Rod Aug. 30, 1892. 481,720
Scottron, S. R. Supporting Bracket Sept. 12, 1893. 505,008
Shorter, D. W. Feed Rack May 17, 1887. 363,089
Shanks, S. C. Sleeping Car Berth Register July 21, 1897. 587,165
Smith, J. W. Improvement in Games Apr. 17, 1900. 647,887
Smith, J. W. Lawn Sprinkler May 4, 1897. 581,785
Smith, J. W. Lawn Sprinkler Mar. 22, 1898. 601,065
Smith, P. D. Potato Digger Jan. 21, 1891. 445,206
Smith, P. D. Grain Binder Feb. 23, 1892. 469,279
Snow & Johns Liniment Oct. 7, 1890. 437,728
Standard, J. Oil Stove Oct. 29, 1889. 413,689
Standard, J. Refrigerator July 14, 1891. 455,891
Stewart, T. W. Mop June 13, 1893. 499,402
Stewart, T. W. Station Indicator June 20, 1893. 499,895
Stewart & Johnson Metal Bending Machine Dec. 27, 1887. 375,512
Stewart, E. W. Punching Machine May 3, 1887. 362,190
Stewart, E. W. Machine for Forming Vehicle Seat Bars Mar. 22, 1887. 373,698
Spears, H. Portable Shield for Infantry Dec. 27, 1870. 110,599
Sutton, E. H. Cotton Cultivator Apr. 7, 1874. 149,543
Sweeting, J. A. Device for Rolling Cigarettes Nov. 30, 1897. 594,501
Sweeting, J. A. Combined Knife and Scoop June 7, 1898. 605,209
Shewcraft, Frank Letter Box Detroit, Mich.
Taylor, B. H. Rotary Engine Apr. 23, 1878. 202,888
Taylor, B. H. Slide Valve July 6, 1897. 585,798
Thomas, S. E. Waste Trap Oct. 18, 1883. 286,746
Thomas, S. E. Waste Trap for Basins, Closets, etc. Oct. 4, 1887. 371,107
Thomas, S. E. Casting July 31, 1888. 386,941
Thomas, S. E. Pipe Connection Oct. 9, 1888. 390,821
Toliver, George Propeller for Vessels Apr. 28, 1891. 451,086
Tregoning & Latimer Globe Supporter for Electric Lamps Mar. 21, 1882. 255,212
Walker, Peter Machine for Cleaning Seed Cotton Feb. 16, 1897. 577,153
Walker, Peter Bait Holder Mar. 8, 1898. 600,241
Waller, J. N. Shoemaker's Cabinet or Bench Feb. 3, 1880. 224,253
Washington, Wade Corn Husking Machine Aug. 14, 1883. 283,173
Watkins, Isaac Scrubbing Frame Oct. 7, 1890. 437,849
Watts, J. R. Bracket for Miners' Lamp Mar. 7, 1893. 493,137
West, E. H. Weather Shield Sept. 5, 1899. 632,385
West, J. W. Wagon Oct. 18, 1870. 108,419
White, D. L. Extension Steps for Cars Jan. 12, 1897. 574,969
White, J. T. Lemon Squeezer Dec. 8, 1896. 572,849
Williams, Carter Canopy Frame Feb. 2, 1892. 468,280
Williams, J. P. Pillow Sham Holder Oct. 10, 1899. 634,784
Winn, Frank Direct Acting Steam Engine Dec. 4, 1888. 394,047
Winters, J. R. Fire Escape Ladder May 7, 1878. 203,517
Winters, J. R. Fire Escape Ladder Apr. 8, 1879. 214,224
Woods, G. T. Steam Boiler Furnace June 3, 1884. 299,894
Woods, G. T. Telephone Transmitter Dec. 2, 1884. 308,817
Woods, G. T. Apparatus for Transmission of Messages by
Electricity Apr. 7, 1885. 315,368
Woods, G. T. Relay Instrument June 7, 1887. 364,619
Woods, G. T. Polarized Relay July 5, 1887. 366,192
Woods, G. T. Electro Mechanical Brake Aug. 16, 1887. 368,265
Woods, G. T. Telephone System and Apparatus Oct. 11, 1887. 371,241
Woods, G. T. Electro-Magnetic Brake Apparatus Oct. 18, 1887. 371,655
Woods, G. T. Railway Telegraphy Nov. 15, 1887. 373,383
Woods, G. T. Induction Telegraph System Nov. 29, 1887. 373,915
Woods, G. T. Overhead Conducting System for Electric
Railway May 29, 1888. 383,844
Woods, G. T. Electro-Motive Railway System June 26, 1888. 385,034
Woods, G. T. Tunnel Construction for Electric Railway July 17, 1888. 386,282
Woods, G. T. Galvanic Battery Aug. 14, 1888. 387,839
Woods, G. T. Railway Telegraphy Aug. 28, 1888. 388,803
Woods, G. T. Automatic Safety Cut-out for Electric Circuits Jan. 1, 1889. 395,533
Woods, G. T. Automatic Safety Cut-out for Electric Circuit Oct. 14, 1889. 438,590
Woods, G. T. Electric Railway System Nov. 10, 1891. 463,020
Woods, G. T. Electric Railway Supply System Oct. 31, 1893. 507,606
Woods, G. T. Electric Railway Conduit Nov. 21, 1893. 509,065
Woods, G. T. System of Electrical Distribution Oct. 13, 1896. 569,443
Woods, G. T Amusement Apparatus Dec. 19, 1899. 639,692
Wormley, James Life Saving Apparatus May 24, 1881. 242,091
Williams, P. B. Electro-Magnetic Electrical Railway
Track Switch Apr. 24, 1900. 648,092
Williams, P. B. Electrically Controlled and Operated
Railway Switch Jan. 15, 1901. 666,080