George Sherwood's 1867 Folding Seat Patent Model
George Sherwood's 1867 Folding Seat Patent Model
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- Description
- George Sherwood from Chicago, Illinois, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 69850 was issued on October 15, 1867.
- Calvin W. Sherwood from Chicago, Illinois, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 101670 was issued on April 5, 1870.
- These patents use a combination of cast iron and wood, though other suitable materials could be used. George Sherwood’s patent allowed the desk seat to be raised without striking the back of the seat. Calvin Sherwood’s patent allowed for a space leaving the back of the seat independent of the desk behind it. Because desks were frequently attached to the chair of the student in front, his patent was designed to address the problem of a student seated in front moving around and disrupting the student sitting behind.
- In 1856 George Sherwood moved from Connecticut to Chicago, Illinois, where he started George Sherwood & Company, later known as the Sherwood School Furniture Company. His brother, Calvin, taught school for many years before joining his brother’s company. In addition to student desks, the company manufactured other school items as well as publishing textbooks.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- seat model
- Object Type
- Patent Model
- Other Terms
- seat model; Furniture; Folding
- date made
- 1867
- patent date
- 1867-10-15
- inventor
- Sherwood, George
- referenced in patent specifications
- United States: Illinois, Chicago
- Physical Description
- metal (seat legs material)
- wood (seat; backrest material)
- Measurements
- overall (seat open): 9 1/2 in x 9 in x 5 1/4 in; 24.13 cm x 22.86 cm x 13.335 cm
- overall (seat closed): 9 in x 2 3/4 in; 22.86 cm x 6.985 cm
- ID Number
- CL.249602.584
- catalog number
- 249602.584
- accession number
- 249602
- patent number
- 69.850
- subject
- Patent Models
- Education
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Education
- American History Education Collection
- Cultures & Communities
- Patent Model School Seats and Desks
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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