Edwin J. Piper's 1873 School Seat Patent Model
Edwin J. Piper's 1873 School Seat Patent Model
- Description
- Edwin J. Piper from Springfield, Massachusetts, received a U.S. patent for an improved school chair. Patent no. 138190 was issued on April 22, 1873.
- The wooden slatted seat is secured onto a pedestal. His combination of slats, hinges, and flanges is new. The backrest is curved and connects to the seat, which gives lower back support. The ends of the slats are connected to a metal frame that outlines the entire seat. The stem is screwed into a wooden base. The seat is not adjustable and does not fold.
- Edwin J. Piper was born in 1849. He was an inventor and the manufacturer of the Springfield ruling machine. He died in 1933 at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- school chair
- model
- seat model
- Object Type
- Patent Model
- date made
- 1873
- patent date
- 1873-04-22
- patentee
- Piper, Edwin J.
- transfer
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- inventor
- Piper, Edwin J.
- referenced in patent specifications
- United States: Massachusetts, Springfield
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 1/4 in x 3 in x 3 1/4 in; 13.335 cm x 7.62 cm x 8.255 cm
- ID Number
- CL.65.0323
- catalog number
- 65.0323
- accession number
- 249602
- patent number
- 138,190
- subject
- Education
- Patent Models
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Education
- Cultures & Communities
- American History Education Collection
- Patent Model School Seats and Desks
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.