Wendell Phillips Hood from Winona, Minnesota, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 121287 was issued on November 28, 1871.
This school desk securely held writing slates in place, preventing breakage. The desk and seat easily fold up to leave space for students and also leave room for cleaning purposes. A spring bolt allows the desk to lock when folded. The desk has close slats and a wooden backrest. The legs and feet are made out of metal and mounted to a wooden platform. There is an ink well secured to the desk. The desktop does not lift up or fold, and there is no storage. A silver plate on the desk reads: "Folding School Seat and Desk Wendell P. Hood, Winona Minn."
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
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