Hamilton S. McRae's 1867 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1867
label: patent date
content: 1867-12-24
label: associated date
content: 1870
name: label: patentee
content: McRae, Hamilton S.
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: McRae, Hamilton S.
notes: label: Description
content: Hamilton S. McRae from Muncie, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 72662 was issued on December 24, 1867.
label: Description
content: This desk has a convenient and easily operated book holder. The innovative book holder sits within the desktop with a lid on top. The lid could be lifted up to allow access to the book. There is a curved seat for support and comfort. The backrest is a flat front face with three vertical slats of wood. The back legs on the desk flare out.
label: Description
content: Hamilton S. McRae was born on January 2, 1833 in Indiana. He served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools. An advocate of educational reform, McRae espoused free kindergarten and free public libraries.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: referenced in patent specifications
content: United States: Indiana, Muncie
topic: label: general subject association
content: Education
label: classified
content: Patent Models
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Education
label: See more items in
content: American History Education Collection
label: See more items in
content: Cultures & Communities
label: See more items in
content: Patent Model School Seats and Desks
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: CL.249602.588
label: catalog number
content: 249602.588
label: accession number
content: 249602
label: patent number
content: 72,662
objectType: label: Object Name
content: school desk
label: Object Name
content: model
label: Object Name
content: desk model
label: Object Type
content: Patent Model
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: wood (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: iron (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 5 3/4 in x 5 3/4 in x 3 3/4 in; 14.605 cm x 14.605 cm x 9.525 cm