The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-07
Patent Office Collection Re-
wards a Patient Study.
GERMS OF VALUABLE THINGS
Useful Inventions Have Sprung from
Examination of Crude Efforts to
Fashion Machines--LincoIn's At
tempt Mt Steamboat and Jener-
sons Success with a PIOw.


venuons at the Patent Office. escaped de-
struction and dispersal. when a decree TO
sell them was revoked by a succeeding
session OF Congress,
In former days these models were kept
on exhibition in the Patent once itself,
but the space being needed for other purJ
poses, they were transferred TO the Union
Building, In G street, between Sixth and
Seventh streets. Here they are to-day and
the occasional sightseer has taken the
place Of the crowds who used 10 consider
the models one OF the sights Of Washing
ton.
Up to within very recent years a model
had TO be submitted with every applica-
ton for a patent. and thus IL was that an
immense collection was gradually got to-
gether, many OF the inventions represent
ed dating back 10 a very early period.
Many Of the interesting objects show the
earliest steps in the evolution of certain
things which have since come 10 be re-
garded as essential OF our civilization.
such as the first practical sewing machine,
the first typewriter, the first ice cream
freezer. and so forth This last, by the
way. was originated by a Philadelphia
woman-Mrs- Nancy Johnson.
Oddities of Invention.
II is natural that the freak inventions
should attract the most attention, and be-
cause OF the exceptional interest displayed
in regard 90 them by visitors some of the
queerest are exhibited as consplcuously as
possible. The prize odlity OF the whole
collection is the steamboat contrived by
Abraham Lincoln. which was provided
with huge bellows-lIke arrangements on
both sides. intended to be Inflated with air
whenever the vessel should chance TO be
stuck on a shoal. thus lifting her of. 1t
does not appear that the device ever
proved to be OF practical usefulness.
Thomas Jefferson. however. was the in
ventive President. II will be remembered
that his plOW proved 10 be a most sub
stantial Improvement over any implement
Of the kind previously known. He origi-
mated a sulky carriage. a walking cane in
three parts which could be converted into
a chair, the now familiar copying press.
and the revolving chair This last is in
common use to-day, as is likewise the
chair convertible into a stepladder, which
was the idea OF Franklin. the first piece
structed by the sage himself to enable
him TO reach with ease the books on the
upper shelves Of his library in Philadel-
phla.
Early Flying Machines.
Experience in such matters has proved
that 1t is by no means safe to condemn a
seemingly absurd novelty in the way Of
an invention. FOR In a good many in
stances such freaks have proved to be ex-
tremely valuable Some OF the earlier
flying machines, models OF which have
been exhibited as absurdities at the Pat
ent Office, embodied ideas which have
found practical expression in the dirigible
airship OF to-day. When, not very long
ago, a so-called crank conceived the idea
Of killing insects on fruit trees by cover
ing the trees with suitably contrived tents
and filling them with poisonous gas. much
derision was excited. Nevertheless. the
idea has proved extremely valuable, and
Is at present much employed.
II was a man who invented the self
rocking cradle, which. being provided
with a clockwork mechanism 10 keep II
going, may be counted on TO keep rock
ing while the mother Is at the club OF
otherwise engaged. a woman invented a
machine. An "anti-scratch device" proves
TO be an appliance attachabIe to the leg OF
a hen and designed 70 prevent her from
damaging the garden bed consisting OF
two prongs projecting rearward. 1t OBJ
iges her to keep on going ahead all the
time, so that she must soon leave the
premises.
Machine to Make DimpIes.
Then there Is the dimple maker. It Is a
wire mack. intended to be worn at night
and is provided with several blunt wooden
points so arranged as TO press upon those
spots where dimples are desired. Another
Of the curiosities Of the Patent once is a
tornado-prOof house, which revolves on a
pivot. so that " It happens to be struck
by one Of those dreadful funnel-shaped
twisters II will simply whirl around and
around, without losing its grip on It's
foundations. Another structural oddlty
is a railroad car, designed for revival
tours. which may be transformed into q
church. On reaching a town where a
meeting Is 20 be held the vehicle is rur
upon a convenient siding, it's sides are un-
folded, and q collapslble steeple, which 1,
one Of the most important parts OF the ar.
rangement. Is promptly adjusted.
OF alarms Of various kinds there ar,
enough 10 make up class by themselve.
this term technically covering all sort.
OF reminders. OF the time OF day or what
not Thus. a bracelet bestows upon It.
wearer a sharp prick with needle point
when the hour OF an important engage
ment has arrived. A peculiarly construct
ed bedstead not only rouses the sleeper
with n Naturalization, but actually
throws him out upon the floor. Another
device employs several corks. which
hanging from a frame, gradually descend
upon a person in bed. thanks 10 a clock.
work attachment, tickling his nose at the
moment when he should wake.
Queer Things Made of Paper.
or all the queer patented things made OF
paper, the oldest, perhaps. are paper
teeth, which are said to be quite service
able. Paper bottles. too. seem curious
not to mention paper mattresses. paper
carpets, paper collins. and paper cigar
boxes. impregnated with cedar oil 20 make
them smell like the real wood. There ar,
even paper telegraph poles, made hollow
and coated with silicate Of potash to give
them enduring quality.
Electricity furnishes a multitude of curl
osities. Among the minor appliances be.
ing an electric horse blanket, designed 70
give comfort to the animal in cold wealth.
er, and the electric towel, which. beinr
connected with battery. difruses ar
agreeable glow over the person after 2
bath. And, speaking Of baths, there IS :
bathing car for railroads. provided with !
series of bathrooms, the water being sun
piled from tank on top Of the vehicle
But decidedly more ingenious are tn,
bathrooms for ocean-going steamships
which have wire cages below the water
line, so that bathers may disport them,
selves without fear Of sharks OF othe,
creatures Of the deep.
The portable jail. consisting Of half :
dozen barred cells in two tiers. was con
sidered an absurdi;y when a patent on /
was applied for. but It is now in use IL