Communications

WANN Microphone

Tools of communication have transformed American society time and again over the past two centuries. The Museum has preserved many instruments of these changes, from printing presses to personal digital assistants.

The collections include hundreds of artifacts from the printing trade and related fields, including papermaking equipment, wood and metal type collections, bookbinding tools, and typesetting machines. Benjamin Franklin is said to have used one of the printing presses in the collection in 1726.

More than 7,000 objects chart the evolution of electronic communications, including the original telegraph of Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell's early telephones. Radios, televisions, tape recorders, and the tools of the computer age are part of the collections, along with wireless phones and a satellite tracking system.

Resource Type: Patents

Patent Model of a Sheet-delivery Apparatus for Web Presses

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus for a printing press which was granted patent number 214068. The patent details a sheet collecting and manipulating mechanism, with pasters, and folders, for high-speed delivery.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet delivery apparatus for a printing press which was granted patent number 214068. The patent details a sheet collecting and manipulating mechanism, with pasters, and folders, for high-speed delivery.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1879
patent date
1879-04-08
maker
Tucker, Stephen D.
ID Number
GA.89797.214068
patent number
214068
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.214068

Patent model for sheet-feed and delivery apparatus

This patent model demonstrates an invention for nippers, a sheet separator, and a fly, all designed to ensure that only one sheet could be fed to the press at a time; the invention was granted patent number 12702.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for nippers, a sheet separator, and a fly, all designed to ensure that only one sheet could be fed to the press at a time; the invention was granted patent number 12702.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855
patent date
1855-04-10
patentee
Hall, John Bishop
ID Number
GA.89797.012702
accession number
089797
patent number
012702
catalog number
GA*89797.012702

Patent Model for a Paper-Feeding Apparatus for Hand Presses

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an automatic sheet feeder for hand presses which was granted patent number 12634. It was assumed that the platen would be fitted with tympan blankets, and the press supplied with an inking machine.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an automatic sheet feeder for hand presses which was granted patent number 12634. It was assumed that the platen would be fitted with tympan blankets, and the press supplied with an inking machine. The model, on a Washington-style press frame, is missing the feed apparatus itself as well as the inking rollers and press toggles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855
patent date
1855-04-03
maker
Mathers, Ebenezer
Siegfried, William D.
ID Number
GA.89797.012634
accession number
089797
patent number
012634
catalog number
GA*89797.012634

Patent Model of an Apparatus for Cleaning and Preserving Inking Rollers

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for cleaning and preserving ink rollers. Racks of rollers were lowered into a bath of oil, where the rollers were cleaned and protected until their next use.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an apparatus for cleaning and preserving ink rollers. Racks of rollers were lowered into a bath of oil, where the rollers were cleaned and protected until their next use. The invention was granted patent number 120043.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1871
patent date
1871-10-17
patentee
Crump, Samuel
ID Number
GA.89797.120043
patent number
120043
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.120043

Patent Model of a Sheet-feeding Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet feeder for "printing-presses, ruling-machines, paper box and bag machines, and analagous machines.” The invention was granted patent number 283906.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet feeder for "printing-presses, ruling-machines, paper box and bag machines, and analagous machines.” The invention was granted patent number 283906.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1883
patent date
1883-08-28
maker
Lauten, Frank H.
ID Number
GA.89797.283906
accession number
089797
patent number
283906
catalog number
GA*89797.283906

Patent Model for a Sheet-Feed Apparatus

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-feed apparatus which was granted patent number 16168. The patent covered both the paper feeder to handle folded sheets, and the folding apparatus.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a sheet-feed apparatus which was granted patent number 16168. The patent covered both the paper feeder to handle folded sheets, and the folding apparatus.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1856
patent date
1856-12-09
maker
Baldwin, David
ID Number
GA.89797.016168
patent number
016168
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.016168

Patent models for ink pads

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a strong, compact inking pad for canceling or dating stamps and other devices; the invention was granted patent number 135949.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a strong, compact inking pad for canceling or dating stamps and other devices; the invention was granted patent number 135949. The elastic stuffing of the pad was saturated with ink, which penetrated the cloth or chamois covering.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1873
patent date
1873-02-18
patentee
Towne, Henry R.
Taylor, Warren H.
ID Number
GA.89797.135949
patent number
135949
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.135949

Patent Model for Ink Fountains for Printing Presses

This patent model demonstrates an invention for an ink fountain for printing presses which was granted patent number 194218. The patent provided a way of controlling the flow of ink from the fountain, and avoiding the accumulation of lint on the doctor blade.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an ink fountain for printing presses which was granted patent number 194218. The patent provided a way of controlling the flow of ink from the fountain, and avoiding the accumulation of lint on the doctor blade.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-08-14
maker
Campbell, Andrew
ID Number
GA.89797.194218
accession number
089797
patent number
194218
194218
catalog number
GA*89797.194218

Patent Model of a Hand Stamp

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand stamp which was granted patent number 18907. The patent describes a self-inking hand stamp that accepted ordinary printers' type.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand stamp which was granted patent number 18907. The patent describes a self-inking hand stamp that accepted ordinary printers' type.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1857
patent date
1857-12-22
patentee
Jones, John M.
ID Number
GA.89797.018907
accession number
089797
patent number
018907
catalog number
GA*89797.018907

Patent Model of a Bookbinding Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for making the cases for books, by cutting leather or cloth from a roll and pasting it onto boards. The invention was granted patent number 330303. Patentees Durkee and Campbell were from Canada.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for making the cases for books, by cutting leather or cloth from a roll and pasting it onto boards. The invention was granted patent number 330303. Patentees Durkee and Campbell were from Canada.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1885
patent date
1885-11-10
maker
Durkee, George B.
Campbell, Angus
ID Number
GA.89797.330303
patent number
330303
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.330303

Patent Model of a Book-sewing Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a book-sewing machine which was granted patent number 184961. The machine was capable of sewing a large number of volumes without stopping the machine. It was an improvement on an earlier machine patented by David M.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a book-sewing machine which was granted patent number 184961. The machine was capable of sewing a large number of volumes without stopping the machine. It was an improvement on an earlier machine patented by David M. Smyth.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
patent date
1876-12-05
maker
Glazier, George W.
ID Number
GA.89797.184961
patent number
184961
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.184961

Patent Model for Machines for Rounding and Backing Books

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for automatically rounding and backing books using two shaped bars--the presser bar and the backing bar; the invention was granted patent number 158679.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for automatically rounding and backing books using two shaped bars--the presser bar and the backing bar; the invention was granted patent number 158679.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
patent date
1875-01-12
maker
Coffin, John E.
ID Number
GA.89797.158679
patent number
158679
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.158679

Patent Model of a Machine for Rounding and Backing Books

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding and backing books which was granted patent number 184198. The patent detailed improved methods of guiding the book and controlling the rounding rollers.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding and backing books which was granted patent number 184198. The patent detailed improved methods of guiding the book and controlling the rounding rollers. Two books could be processed at once--one being rounded while the other was backed. Edwin Crawley, a Cincinnati bookbinder, continued to work on the problems of rounding and backing, and in 1891 introduced a machine that set industry standards for many years.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1876
patent date
1876-11-07
maker
Crawley, Edwin
Thomas, Frank
ID Number
GA.89797.184198
patent number
184198
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.184198

Patent Model for a Paper-Folding Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a paper-folding machine which was granted patent number 7722. It was a machine for folding sheets of paper by forcing them between plates.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a paper-folding machine which was granted patent number 7722. It was a machine for folding sheets of paper by forcing them between plates.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
patent date
1850-10-15
maker
Snow, George K.
ID Number
GA.89797.007722
accession number
89797
patent number
007722
catalog number
GA*89797.007722

Patent model for method of making wooden type

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of stamping letters into blocks of wood from steel dies; the invention was granted patent number 9454. Thirty-five years later, a similar process was used extensively by the William H.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of stamping letters into blocks of wood from steel dies; the invention was granted patent number 9454. Thirty-five years later, a similar process was used extensively by the William H. Page Wood Type Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1852
patent date
1852-12-07
maker
McCreary, John
ID Number
GA.89797.009454
patent number
009454
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.009454

Patent Model for Type Molds

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type mold; the invention was granted patent model 187880.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type mold; the invention was granted patent model 187880. The patent details type molds in which the jet of the newly cast type was broken off automatically as the mold was opened, saving a separate operation in the typecasting process. Mason was from Islington in Middlesex, England. His invention was patented in England in 1877.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1877
patent date
1877-02-27
maker
Mason, Thomas
ID Number
GA.89797.187880
patent number
187880
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.187880

Patent Model of a Type-dressing Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for dressing and finishing the four sides, the shoulders, and the edges of type; the invention was granted patent number 60450.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for dressing and finishing the four sides, the shoulders, and the edges of type; the invention was granted patent number 60450.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1866
patent date
1866-12-11
maker
Welch, Patrick
ID Number
GA.89797.060450
patent number
060450
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.060450

Patent Model for Newspaper and Envelope Addressing Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a newspaper and envelope addressing machine which was granted patent number 25363. Typeset addresses were held in a series of long trays and printed on envelopes or newspaper wrappers.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a newspaper and envelope addressing machine which was granted patent number 25363. Typeset addresses were held in a series of long trays and printed on envelopes or newspaper wrappers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1859
patent date
1859-09-06
maker
Henderson, George
ID Number
GA.89797.025363
accession number
89797
patent number
025363
catalog number
GA*89797.025363

Patent Model of a Typesetting and Distributing Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting and distributing machine; the invention was granted patent number 85251. The patent details improvements to earlier patents taken out by Timothy Alden (1857), and Henry Alden and William Mackey (1866).
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting and distributing machine; the invention was granted patent number 85251. The patent details improvements to earlier patents taken out by Timothy Alden (1857), and Henry Alden and William Mackey (1866). This patent related to the distribution of type. It allowed for the use of any ordinary type in the distributer, instead of the special type required previously. The patent was assigned to the Alden Typesetting and Distributing Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
patent date
1868-12-22
maker
Slingerland, John T.
ID Number
GA.89797.085251
patent number
085251
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.085251

Patent Model of a Typesetting Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting machine which was granted patent number 166549. The machine was named the Electro-Magnetic Type-Setting Machine.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting machine which was granted patent number 166549. The machine was named the Electro-Magnetic Type-Setting Machine. Type was stored in vertical channels (right-hand box) and dropped into a funnel at a touch on the keyboard (lefthand box). The falling type hit a see-saw lever, making an electrical connection and exciting electromagnets. The magnets moved sliding blocks, pushing the type into place into a galley. When a line of type was complete, the operator reset the adjustable back of the galley to make room for the next line.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
patent date
1875-08-10
maker
Pattyson, William D. C.
ID Number
GA.89797.166549
patent number
166549
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.166549

Patent Model of a Type Breaker

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type breaker which was assigned patent number 86968. This device broke the jets from the bodies of newly cast type and was intended to be attached to a typecasting machine.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type breaker which was assigned patent number 86968. This device broke the jets from the bodies of newly cast type and was intended to be attached to a typecasting machine. The patent was granted to Philip Heinrich, proprietor of the Ph. Heinrich type foundry in New York.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1869
patent date
1869-02-16
maker
Baer, Charles
ID Number
GA.89797.086968
patent number
086968
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.086968

Patent Model of a Typesetting Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting machine which was granted patent number 13710. Type was stored in nearly vertical cells around a circulating wheel.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typesetting machine which was granted patent number 13710. Type was stored in nearly vertical cells around a circulating wheel. A piece of type selected at the keyboard was pushed in from its cell, caught up by the wheel, and carried to a galley in front of the operator where the spacing was fine-tuned. The patent also covered arrangements for housing the kerned letter "j," and for correcting matter in the galley. The patent model is incomplete.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1855
patent date
1855-10-23
maker
Loughborough, William S.
ID Number
GA.89797.013710
patent number
013710
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.013710

Patent for Type Rubbing Machine

This patent model demonstrates an invention for James Duncan's Rotary Type Rubber which smoothed the rough edges on freshly cast type. The invention was granted patent number 5420.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for James Duncan's Rotary Type Rubber which smoothed the rough edges on freshly cast type. The invention was granted patent number 5420.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
patent date
1848-01-25
maker
Duncan, James L.
ID Number
GA.89797.005420
accession number
089797
patent number
005420
catalog number
GA*89797.005420

Patent Model of a Machine for Shaping the Backs of Books

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding the backs of books by means of rollers, either before or after binding; the invention was granted patent number 24425.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding the backs of books by means of rollers, either before or after binding; the invention was granted patent number 24425.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1859
patent date
1859-06-14
maker
Coffin, John E.
ID Number
GA.89797.024425
patent number
024425
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.024425

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