Patent Models: Graphic Arts

Of the 10,000 patent models held in this Museum, some 400 models are housed in and relate to the Graphic Arts Collection. These include models prepared for the printing, type, paper, and bookbinding trades.

The following Introduction is copied directly from Elizabeth M. Harris, Patent Models in the Graphic Arts Collection (Washington, D.C.: The National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, 1997). This publication is illustrated with line drawings.

Black and white photographs of many of the 400 plus patent models in the Graphic Arts Collection were taken in the 1960s. We hope the publication of these photographs will also assist the public in better understanding the Collection.

“Until 1880, the U.S. Patent Office required most inventors to submit a model with their application for patent protection. The Patent Office thus became the keeper of a huge collection, one that suffered several catastrophes over the years. In 1836 a fire at Blodgett's Hotel, where the Patent Office was housed, destroyed all existing models—about 10,000 items—as well as the records of some specifications. After the fire new patents, hitherto unnumbered, were numbered in a consecutive series. In 1840 an effort was made to restore models and specifications lost in the fire. Some 2845 were restored (and numbered in a new X... series), but there were gaps that could not be filled and remain blank to this day. In 1887 a second fire started in a loft in the Patent Office where 12,000 rejected models were stored. It spread rapidly, destroying or damaging 114,000 more models out of the total collection of around 200,000. Of these, 27,000 were eventually restored, while 87,000 were lost.

The first patent models now in the Graphic Arts Division came to the Smithsonian in 1908—a group of eleven models transferred by the Patent Office. In 1926 Congress decided to dispose of the remaining Patent Office collection, which then consisted of some 150,000 models. About 10,000 pieces came to the Smithsonian's U.S. National Museum.

The largest single group within that transfer—about 4,000—consisted of models for the textiles industry. More than 300 were for the printing trades. Other printing models have arrived since 1926, singly or in small groups.”

For more information about the Museum’s patent model collection, see Patent Model Index, Guide to the Collections of the National Museum of American History.

This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type mold which was granted patent number 5846. The Universal Hand Type-Mold cast type of any size.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a type mold which was granted patent number 5846. The Universal Hand Type-Mold cast type of any size.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
Date made
1848
patent date
1848-10-10
maker
Day, Hartley W.
ID Number
1996.0062.06
patent number
005846
accession number
1996.0062
catalog number
1996.0062.06
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements in the printing press; the invention was granted patent number 4025. The patent details improvements in feed and delivery, in raising the cylinder, and in stopping the bed.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements in the printing press; the invention was granted patent number 4025. The patent details improvements in feed and delivery, in raising the cylinder, and in stopping the bed.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1845
patent date
1845-05-01
maker
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.11016
catalog number
GA*11016
patent number
004025
accession number
48865
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improvement on Hoe's rotary printing press; the invention was granted patent number 5199.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an improvement on Hoe's rotary printing press; the invention was granted patent number 5199. The patent includes improvements to the inking apparatus, the use of a portion of the type cylinder for ink distribution, and locking type to the cylinder with tapering rules.
date made
ca 1847
patent date
1847-07-24
inventor
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.11017
accession number
48865
catalog number
GA*11017
patent number
5199
This patent model demonstrates an invention for various improvements on the English presses of Applegath, Napier, and others, especially methods of stopping and reversing the press bed in its travel and of raising the impression cylinders to allow the bed to pass underneath.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for various improvements on the English presses of Applegath, Napier, and others, especially methods of stopping and reversing the press bed in its travel and of raising the impression cylinders to allow the bed to pass underneath. The invention was granted patent number 2629.
This was the patent for Hoe's Pony press, built specifically for the New York Sun to print 5-6,000 impressions per hour. Richard March Hoe (1812-1886) was the son of Robert Hoe, founder of the original company, which he took over in 1833 after his father's death. Among many outstanding inventions, his most famous press was the Lightning of 1846. He was also known for solicitous management of his employees, for whom he set up set up a free but compulsory apprentice school.
Location
Currently not on view (printing press fragment)
date made
ca 1842
patent date
1842-05-20
patentee
Hoe, Richard March
maker
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.11023
catalog number
GA*11023
accession number
48865
patent number
002629
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a double-ended press; it was granted patent number 2793. The invention included a method of bringing two alternating beds into printing position.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a double-ended press; it was granted patent number 2793. The invention included a method of bringing two alternating beds into printing position. The patent could be applied either to a bed-and-platen press or to another cylinder press.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1842
patent date
1842-09-30
maker
Northrup, Joel G.
ID Number
GA.89797.002793
patent number
002793
accession number
89797
catalog number
GA*89797.002793
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a carpenter's type-cutter and protractor; the invention was granted patent number 2894. The cutter and protractor was a machine for cutting multiple copies from a single pattern.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a carpenter's type-cutter and protractor; the invention was granted patent number 2894. The cutter and protractor was a machine for cutting multiple copies from a single pattern. Typically, it was to be used in making wood type, which could be enlarged or reduced, extended or compressed, thrown into perspective, or turned into "grotesque type of any given fashion from the same plain pattern."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1842
patent date
1842-12-31
maker
Carpenter, Luman
ID Number
GA.89797.002894
patent number
002894
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.002894
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typecasting machine which was granted patent number 3324.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typecasting machine which was granted patent number 3324. The patent details improvements to David Bruce's earlier pivotal typecaster, specifically, adjustable parts to the mold, a method of opening the mold and tilting the matrix and the piston to force metal into the mold.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1843
date made
ca 1843
patent date
1843-11-06
maker
Bruce, Jr., David
ID Number
GA.89797.003324
accession number
89797
patent number
003324
catalog number
GA*89797.003324
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 3551. This presses’ tapered bearers were attached to the bed to prevent slurring of the impression at the ends of the formCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 3551. This presses’ tapered bearers were attached to the bed to prevent slurring of the impression at the ends of the form
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1844
patent date
1844-04-17
patentee
Hoe, Richard March
maker
Hoe, Richard March
ID Number
GA.89797.003551
accession number
089797
catalog number
GA*89797.003551
patent number
003551
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking platen jobbing press with a vertical bed and platen which was brought together by toggle levers.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking platen jobbing press with a vertical bed and platen which was brought together by toggle levers. An inking cylinder sat beneath the bed, and a frisket frame was lifted up between impressions to receive sheets of paper. The invention was granted patent number 3716. This invention first appeared as Gilman's job press, and then from 1846 to 1873 as the Hoe Company's Patent Machine Card Press.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1844
patent date
1844-08-23
maker
Gilman, Alonzo
ID Number
GA.89797.003716
patent number
003716
accession number
89797
catalog number
GA*89797.003716
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking press which was granted number 3917. The press has a vertical bed and platen, and sheet grippers traveling on an endless chain. The model is damaged.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a self-inking press which was granted number 3917. The press has a vertical bed and platen, and sheet grippers traveling on an endless chain. The model is damaged.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1845
patent date
1845-02-20
maker
Kneeland, J. C.
ID Number
GA.89797.003917
accession number
089797
patent number
003917
catalog number
GA*89797.003917
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typecasting machine which was granted patent number 4072. The patent details further developments on David Bruce's pivotal typecaster.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a typecasting machine which was granted patent number 4072. The patent details further developments on David Bruce's pivotal typecaster.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1845
patent date
1845-06-07
maker
Bruce, Jr., David
ID Number
GA.89797.004072
accession number
089797
patent number
004072
catalog number
GA*89797.004072
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine which produced type by compression and cutting from rods of any metal; the invention was granted patent number 5049. The face was formed using a steel letter matrix or, for reversed type (type en creux), a steel punch.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine which produced type by compression and cutting from rods of any metal; the invention was granted patent number 5049. The face was formed using a steel letter matrix or, for reversed type (type en creux), a steel punch. The model is a full-sized working machine. (Jean Petyt was from Paris, France.)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1847
patent date
1847-04-03
maker
Petyt, Jean Constant
ID Number
GA.89797.005049
accession number
089797
patent number
005049
catalog number
GA*89797.005049
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
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of painting on a sheet of glass coated with linseed oil and ground silica, which gave a luminous appearance to the painting. The invention was granted patent number 5495.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of painting on a sheet of glass coated with linseed oil and ground silica, which gave a luminous appearance to the painting. The invention was granted patent number 5495. The inventor named the process Tachygraphic Painting. J. Bishop Hall of Philadelphia may have been the same as the John Bishop Hall of New York whose invention is also listed here.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
patent date
1848-03-28
maker
Hall, J. Bishop
ID Number
GA.89797.005495
accession number
089797
patent number
005495
005495
catalog number
GA*89797.005495
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a book trimmer which was granted patent number 5523. The machine is for cutting the edges of books, and combines a sliding cutter with a turning and adjustable book holder and an adjustable table.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a book trimmer which was granted patent number 5523. The machine is for cutting the edges of books, and combines a sliding cutter with a turning and adjustable book holder and an adjustable table.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
patent date
1848-04-18
maker
Markham, Larnard F.
ID Number
GA.89797.005523
catalog number
GA*89797.005523
accession number
089797
patent number
005523
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flat-bed cylinder printing press; the invention was granted patent number 5819.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flat-bed cylinder printing press; the invention was granted patent number 5819. The press featured an improved apparatus governing the motion of the bed on a flatbed cylinder press as well as the gripper fingers and the inking system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1848
patent date
1848-10-03
maker
Marsh, Joseph M.
ID Number
GA.89797.005819
patent number
005819
accession number
89797
catalog number
GA*89797.005819
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a block-printing press for wallpaper and oilcloth; the invention was granted patent number 6404.
Description (Brief)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a block-printing press for wallpaper and oilcloth; the invention was granted patent number 6404. Two sets of blocks, suspended over the paper, were mounted in a frame that moved laterally so that one was re-inked by brushes while the other delivered its impression. The paper traveled along a table transverse to the block frame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1849
patent date
1849-05-01
maker
Shaw, William M.
Gould, Ezra
ID Number
GA.89797.006404
accession number
089797
patent number
006404
catalog number
GA*89797.006404

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