Year: 1873

The Records Of the United States


Patent Ofi.ce exhibit innumorabls


applications for ludicrous as we'll as


imprscticable inventions. The time


and talent expended in devising some


machine, which il is supposed will


make the inventors fortune, would,


il applied 10 his ordinary daily labor


make him thoroughly competent
mechanic and secure him comforta


bic livelihood. As o proof Of the
truth Of tho above remarks, O few


illustrations may be givon. In 1870
the ownor Of some beehives, irritated


by the loss Of his honey by tho bee
moth, asked for patent for q com
bined henroost and beehive. He
had noticed that the bee moth trav-
els at night, while the busy bee
works by day. His desire, therefore,
was for device that should admit
the worker by day and keep out the
thief by night. Thus his ingenuity
effected tho erection of a henroost
pivoted upon q beehive, provided
with gates. The bees were expected
to be in their hives just before dark
the hens lighting ON their roosts,
were then to close the gates of the
hive and keep them shut all night
The early rising of the hens would
automatically open the gates again
and return the bses-their honey all
safe-to the airs Of heaven and the
flowers OF earth. Ho received the
patent. Z.


Another applicant asked for a
patent right for an artificial moon
that should light each town that
used it without expense. Ills eye
had often been struck by tho reaeo-
ton Of the distant windows at sunset,
and how far light travelled. lie,
therefore, proposed O balloon for
each town sufficiently large to raise q
huge reflector, that was to be hoisted
every evening at dusk, about the
time the hens had shut in the bees.
The reflection Of the suns rays cast
downward upon the village was sure
to light it throu' all the darkness of
the night. Fortunately for himself
this inventor presented his applica-
ton through patent attorney, who
told him it was doubtful il it could
be obtained.


In tho fall Of 1872 q gentleman
applied for aud received q patent for
building houses on wheels aud roll
ers, so that in case Of earthquake
they might roll forward or backward,
and not be shaken TO pieces.


Another gentleman applied for q
patent for heating canals by steam,
80 that boating could 60 on in the
winter as we'll al in the summer
The Office decided that this invention
was worthy of protection and gave
aim his patent.


Another applied for a combination
of a clock and bed. 80 ingeniously
that when the clock struck
Tho bottom ofthe bed dropped out.
He claimed that this plan would pro
,ably awaken the sleeper.


Another inventor from the from
iers asked for patent for a combi-
lation Of q cannon and plough. For
his purpose he fled three applica-
ions, making the elongated handles
II tho plough hollow, 30 as to form
wo cannon. These were to to be
,ept loaded till the guerillas were
.fter the ploughman, the cannon
we're then to be fred, the guerillas
hot down and the farmer to 20 on
lis way rejoicing.


In 1870 very ingenious gentle
nan from the rural districts applied
or apatent to prevent cows from
witching their tails. He presented
wo models-one shaped like q bottle
round the end Of which the cows
oil was to be curled the other was


square block with the hole through
he centre wherein the tail was to be
'ut and tied in q knot, 30 that the
nimal could not withdrew it.