George Munger's 1866 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1866
label: patent date
content: 1866-09-04
name: label: patentee
content: Munger, George
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: Munger, George
notes: label: Description
content: George Munger from East River, Connecticut, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 57824 was issued on September 4, 1866.
label: Description
content: This desk is constructed with dovetails or tongue and grooves to facilitate shipping. The design could be broken down, packed in a small area, and easily built without skilled labor. There are four cross pieces that form the back of the seat and only one screw and two nail heads that show. The desktop does not move and the seat does not fold. There are four slats across the backrest. It is mounted on a platform.
label: Description
content: George Munger was born on November 27, 1827. He partnered in many successful manufacturing businesses. In 1877 he built a factory in East River, Connecticut for manufacturing a line of school supplies, including desks and furniture. He originated the dovetail method of putting iron and wood together. Munger died on April 7, 1903.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: referenced in patent specifications
content: United States: New York, New York City
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.65.0359
label: catalog number
content: 65.0359
label: accession number
content: 249602
label: patent number
content: 57,824
objectType: 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: Measurements
content: overall: 5 1/2 in x 4 7/8 in; 13.97 cm x 12.3825 cm