Patent Model of Signal Lantern, 1857

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

1857

Subject Date

12 May 1857

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

26.160.30

Credit

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

Material

Tin (Metal)
Glass (Material)

Dimensions

Height: 12.5 in

Inscriptions

Brass plate attached to side of lantern marked: R.P. BAILEY / NIAGARA CITY. Patent office tag: NO. 17253 1857 / R. P. BAILEY / SIGNAL / LAMP / PATENTED MAY. 12th / 1857.
Patent Model of Signal Lantern, 1857