Abraham Lincoln's Patent Model

Abraham Lincoln's Patent Model

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Description
Like many people of his era, Lincoln believed deeply in the value of personal initiative, inventiveness, and scientific and technological change. Lincoln’s mechanical and scientific interests began with his training as a surveyor in New Salem and continued throughout his life.
In 1848 he decided try his own hand at developing an invention to lift boats grounded in shallow water. On May 22, 1849, Congressman Abraham Lincoln received a patent for his method of lifting boats over shoals. A trip to Niagara Falls inspired the design, when he witnessed a grounded boat being lifted over shallow waters. Lincoln produced the model with the help of Walter Davis, a Springfield mechanic. There is no evidence that he ever sought to put the idea into production.
Transfer from the U.S. Patent Office, 1922
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
patent model
Object Type
Patent Model
date made
prior to 1849
date patented
1849-05-22
patentee
Lincoln, Abraham
maker
Lincoln, Abraham
place made
United States: Illinois
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
brown (overall color)
fabric (part material)
Measurements
overall: 9 3/4 in x 26 1/4 in x 4 3/4 in; 24.765 cm x 66.675 cm x 12.065 cm
ID Number
PL.031940
catalog number
31940
accession number
48865
patent number
6469
subject
Patent Models
See more items in
Political and Military History: Political History, Presidential History Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
Transportation
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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