George W. Hildreth from Niagara, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 74688 was issued on February 18, 1868.
This desk is made of wood with metal hinges and the legs and feet are cast iron. There is pen or pencil writing on the desktop, but it is not legible. The desktop can be folded to reveal storage. The cast iron has a Gothic architectural design.
George W. Hildreth was born in 1805. He trained as a machinist and builder. In 1833 he established Hildreth & Co. in Lockport, New York, to manufacture school and opera furniture.
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