Patent Model of Lantern, 1855

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

1855

Subject Date

09 January 1855

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

26.160.2

Credit

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

Material

Tin (Metal)
Glass (Material)

Dimensions

Height: 15.5 in
Width: 6.5 in
Length: 6.5 in

Inscriptions

Attached to lantern is plaque marked: W.D. TITUS. Patent Office tag: NO. 687 1855 / W.D. TITUS / DESIGN FOR LANTERN / PATENTED JANY 9th/ 1855." PN.687.
Patent Model of Lantern, 1855