Sylvanus Cox and William W. Fanning's 1873 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
Sylvanus Cox and William W. Fanning's 1873 School Desk and Seat Patent Model
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- Description
- Sylvanus Cox and William Fanning from Richmond, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and chair. Patent no. 135089 was issued on January 21, 1873.
- This model consists of a wood and iron combination folding seat and desk. The brass desk supports have Gothic arches. The seat has dark and light wood slats with a curved, smooth bench and back support. The desktop is made of wood and features a groove for writing utensils. The cutout for an ink well would have been an option. It is attached to the back of the bench and has a folding mechanism to reduce noise. The brass base supports and legs form two birds with beaks touching. There is a small brass label on the desktop. The Cox and Fanning design was become one of the most attractive desk designs of the nineteenth century.
- There were a few men with the name Sylvanus Cox living in Indiana when this model was created so we do not have specific information about the inventor. William W. Fanning was a carpenter who lived in Richmond, Indiana. He was born in November 1843 and died February 20, 1909 at age 65 in Richmond, Indiana.
- Object Name
- model
- desk model
- Object Type
- Patent Model
- model
- date made
- 1873
- patent date
- 1873-01-21
- patentee
- Cox, Sylvanus
- Fanning, William W.
- transfer
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- inventor
- Cox, Sylvanus
- Fanning, William W.
- referenced in patent specifications
- United States: Indiana, Richmond
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- oak (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 8 1/4 in x 6 1/4 in x 8 in; 20.955 cm x 15.875 cm x 20.32 cm
- seat: 1/4 in x 5 3/16 in x 3 1/2 in;.635 cm x 13.208 cm x 8.89 cm
- ID Number
- CL.65.0386
- accession number
- 249602
- patent number
- 135089
- catalog number
- 65.0386
- patent number
- 135,089
- subject
- Patent Models
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Education
- American History Education Collection
- Cultures & Communities
- Patent Model School Seats and Desks
- Exhibition
- Inventing in America
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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