Patent Model of Match Safe, 1877

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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

1877

Subject Date

17 July 1877

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

26.160.8

Credit

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

Material

Tin (Metal)

Technique

Lithography

Dimensions

Width: 1.125 in
Length: 3 in
Thickness: 0.375 in

Inscriptions

Large one marked in script: No. 193.246 / E. K. Haynes. / Match-Safe. / PATENTED July 17, 1877. One small tag marked in script: E. K. Haynes. / Cigar Lighter / RECEIVED June 20. One small tag: PATENT OFFICE / CAT. 331194 / ACC. / ORIG On side of box marked in black paint: 33119.
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