Patent Model of Lamp Extinguisher, 1879

THF152228 / Patent Model of Lamp Extinguisher, 1879
01

Artifact Overview

From 1790 to 1880, the U.S. Patent Office required applicants to submit a miniature model along with diagrams and written descriptions detailing the operation of their invention. Patent models could be no larger than 12" by 12" by 12". Though they were usually not operational, these models helped explain an inventor's idea and protect it from competitors.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Model (Patent)

Date Made

1879

Subject Date

04 February 1879

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

26.160.10

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Smithsonian Institution

Material

Tin (Metal)
Brass (Alloy)

Dimensions

Height: 4 in

Inscriptions

On paper label, on side of box is written, in script: R.H. Frazee / H.L Fisher / Toledo / A.J. Hassell / Iowa / 331143 Model of Automatic / Lamp Extinguisher. Patent Office tag: NO. 211902 18979 / R.H. FRAZEE, /H.L. FISHER and / A.J. HASSELL. / AUTOMATIC LAMP-/ EXTINGUISHERS. / PATENTED FEB. 4 / 1879. Tag also contains information on the operation.
Patent Model of Lamp Extinguisher, 1879