Rutledge T. Hoffman's 1879 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1879
label: associated date
content: 1879-05-20
name: label: patentee
content: Hoffman, Rutledge T.
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: Hoffman, Rutledge T.
notes: label: Description
content: Rutledge T. Hoffman from Eaton, Ohio, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 215620 was issued on May 20, 1879.
label: Description
content: This heavy, wooden model features metal connecting to the seat of the chair, which also folds up so it is more compact. The seat is curved, but the backrest is flat. The desk is attached to the back of the backrest and folds inward for space. When the desk is unfolded, there are two small pieces of wood under the desktop that slide and move to prop the desk up.
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: Ohio, Eaton
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.65.0408
label: catalog number
content: 65.0408
label: accession number
content: 249602
label: patent number
content: 215,620
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: Physical Description
content: oak (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 11 in x 11 1/2 in x 16 in; 27.94 cm x 29.21 cm x 40.64 cm
label: Measurements
content: seat: 10 1/2 in x 6 in x 3/4 in; 26.67 cm x 15.24 cm x 1.905 cm