Aaron W. Hempleman's 1876 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1876
label: patent date
content: 1876-05-23
name: label: patentee
content: Hempleman, Aaron W.
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: Hempleman, Aaron W.
notes: label: Description
content: Aaron W. Hempleman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 177835 was issued on May 23, 1876.
label: Description
content: This model has metal legs and feet and a desk that consists of both light and dark wooden slats. The metal sides feature a tree like design, adding visual interest to the desk. The desk is attached to the backrest, and although the seat and backrest are curved, there is no lower back support. There is a storage shelf underneath the desktop that remains stationary. There is an extra bracket attached to the side of the desk.
label: Description
content: Aaron W. Hempleman joined the firm originated by John P. Allen and George H. Grant. In 1876, he and Grant formed Grant & Hempleman to manufacture church and school furniture. It was not unusual during the 19th Century for school furniture companies to also produce pews and pulpits for churches, and fold up seating for theaters.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: referenced in patent specifications
content: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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.65.0399
label: catalog number
content: 65.0399
label: accession number
content: 249602
label: patent number
content: 177,835
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: 7 3/4 in x 7 3/4 in x 8 in; 19.685 cm x 19.685 cm x 20.32 cm