Francis A Wilber's 1873 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: 1873
label: patent date
content: 1873-07-15
name: label: patentee
content: Wilber, Francis A.
label: transfer
content: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
label: inventor
content: Wilber, Francis A.
notes: label: Description
content: Francis Wilbur from Wabash, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 140979 was issued on July 15, 1873.
label: Description
content: This model is simply crafted of wood and consists of a desktop featuring a sliding bench. The sliding mechanism as well as the pivoted levers used to support the bench were innovations in this patent. The horizontal, sliding platform features a section that can fold up to provide a book rest. The desk’s support is not comprised of legs, but from entire boards of wood on all exterior sides. "F. A. Wilbur" is painted with stencil on the desktop. The patent tag is nailed on.
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: Indiana, Wabash
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.65.0390
label: accession number
content: 249602
label: catalog number
content: 65.0390
label: patent number
content: 140,979
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: Measurements
content: overall: 4 3/4 in x 11 in x 4 3/4 in; 12.065 cm x 27.94 cm x 12.065 cm
label: Measurements
content: overall: 6 3/4 in x 11 in x 4 3/4 in; 17.145 cm x 27.94 cm x 12.065 cm