Henry Merz's 1878 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1878
label: patent date
content: 1878-06-04
name: label: patentee
content: Merz, Henry
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: Merz, Henry
notes: label: Description
content: Henry Merz from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 204444 was issued on June 4, 1878.
label: Description
content: This model is a combination of wood and black metal. The bench or chair is comprised of compressed slats that form horizontal grooves in the seat and backrest. The chair curves for comfort and body support and lifts up. The desk is attached to the back of the backrest. The desktop is made of wood and has storage underneath the desk for books. The desktop is supported by a metal frame that connects to the chair's support system.
label: Description
content: We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: referenced in patent specifications
content: United States: Wisconsin, Milwaukee
topic: 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.65.0407
label: catalog number
content: 65.0407
label: patent number
content: 204,444
label: accession number
content: 249602
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: iron (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 11 in x 11 1/2 in x 12 in; 27.94 cm x 29.21 cm x 30.48 cm