Milan C. Stebbin and Edwin J. Piper's 1873 School Desk Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1873
label: patent date
content: 1873-04-08
name: label: patentee
content: Stebbins, Milan C.
label: patentee
content: Piper, Edwin J.
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: Stebbins, Milan C.
label: inventor
content: Piper, Edwin J.
notes: label: Description
content: Milan C. Stebbins and Edwin J. Piper from Springfield, Massachusetts, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 137732 was issued on April 8, 1873.
label: Description
content: This model features a wooden slatted seat that is secured onto a pedestal. The combination of slats, hinges, flanges, and processions is new. The backrest is curved and connects to the seat, which gives lower back support. The ends of the slats are connected to a metal frame that outlines the entire seat. The stem is screwed into a wooden base. The seat is not adjustable and does not fold.
label: Description
content: Milan Cyrus Stebbins was born in Granby, Massachusetts, in 1828. He was a teacher, school principal and pastor. He died in 1889 in Cornwall, Vermont.
label: Description
content: Edwin J. Piper was born in 1849. In addition to being a co--inventor of this desk, Piper was an inventor and the manufacturer of the Springfield ruling machine. He died in 1933 at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: referenced in patent specifications
content: United States: Massachusetts, Springfield
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.249602.579
label: catalog number
content: 249602.579
label: accession number
content: 249602
label: patent number
content: 137,732
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: Measurements
content: overall: 4 3/4 in x 4 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in; 12.065 cm x 11.43 cm x 6.985 cm