Rowland K. Curtis from Wabash, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 202934 was issued on April 30, 1878.
This patent was designed to simplify the construction of school desks and increase their strength. The front legs of the desk follow the direction of the grain of the wood. Brackets support the seat and brace the legs at their junction. The legs are made of a single piece of wood, creating the necessary support. The desk is made out of glossed oak with cast iron hinges. The seat is slatted and folds to the backrest. There are iron supporters under the seat, and the feet are made of iron. There is a lid that lifts up to reveal a storage area. The writing surface has a circular cut out to represent an area for an inkwell.
Rowland K. Curtis was born in 1829. He worked at various building trades. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the Wabash School Furniture Company.