This model was filed with the application to the U.S. Patent Office for Patent Number 238,235 issued to Alexander Lyman Holley of Brooklyn, NY on March 1, 1881. Holley’s patent was for an improved gas-fueled steam-boiler for use in a furnace. Mr. Holley noted that past objections to the use of gas for fuel dealt with poor combustion of the gas due to incomplete mixing with combustion air. His invention related to a new way to mix the air and gas more completely prior to introduction into the combustion chamber. He provided for separate entry flues for the gas and air. These ran beneath the floor of the combustion chamber. Slots were cut into the floor perpendicular to the flues. Alternate slots were connected to either the gas flue or air flue. In his patent application drawing, he showed five slots – two for gas and three for air. He conceived that the pressure feeding the air and gas would create jets through the slots into the combustion chamber where mixture would occur and combustion take place. To facilitate this, he included a curved diaphragm as the top of the combustion chamber. The combustion gases would then be carried upwards through tubes in the boiler and thence to the exhaust. Research of available trade literature and other sources has not revealed any commercial product that may have made use of Mr. Holley’s invention. Mr. Holley was an engineer of great reputation in the steel making industry and was a founding member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The patent model is constructed of wood and sheet metal. The boiler is sheet metal painted black. The wooden frame of the model is painted red with black lines to give it the appearance of being made of brick. The model conforms to the patent drawings and represents the major elements of the patent. The air and gas inlet pipes and flues are present. The burner is made of wood and has slots cut into it to represent the alternating gas air and gas ports. The model has a tag that includes the date (January 24, 1880) of the patent application.
This model was filed with the application to the U.S. Patent Office for Patent Number 36,000 issued to Samuel F. Gold and William A. Foskett on July 29, 1862. Their patent was for a design for a steam radiator that warmed the air without excessive loss of humidity which was a disadvantage for then existing radiators. They sought an optimum temperature for the exterior surfaces of the radiator that would efficiently warm a room. Older designs allowed the surface temperature to approach that of the steam, and the designers claimed this damaged the air in the room by “….reason of the burning and decomposition of the extraneous matter in the air and the destruction of its moisture...” Their solution was to increase the surface area of the radiator elements and to distribute the steam within the radiator so as to uniformly and efficiently heat the elements. Each radiator element consisted of a long, thin chamber with many external conical projections. Steam entered the element in the center, and the center flanges were designed to allow multiple elements to be joined together with a single bolt. The interior of the chamber had a diaphragm that separated it in half horizontally so as to cause the steam to flow first outward to the end of the chamber and then return to the center where it exited the chamber. This controlled and even flow of steam on both sides of the central flanges had the advantage of producing an even thermal expansion across all parts thus avoiding leakage of steam at the joints. Another benefit of the open design was that there were no areas for steam to condense and become trapped in the form of water when the heat was turned off. This greatly avoided the chance of an explosion when the steam returned and obviated the need for a check valve common in other steam heat systems. A key design feature was that the conical projections on the surface of the elements were arranged differently on the front and rear of the chamber. Those on the rear were in rows and columns offset from those on the front by the diameter of the conical projections. This staggered the projections so air circulating among them would have maximum surface area to contact in its passage. The radiator design was made a part of the Union Steam and Water Heating Company steam heating system which was installed in many buildings including schools and homes . In 1891 the original patent was assigned to that company.
The patent model is constructed of cast iron. It illustrates the design features of two truncated radiator elements joined at their center by the connecting bolt. The staggered conical projections are visible as are the separating diaphragms within each. The model is labeled “S.F. Gold & W.A. Foskett.”
Notebook with celluloid cover. Included in the color print on front is an image of tea package. A calendar for the year 1902 is on the back. Handwriting in pencil is on interior pages. The notebook advertised "Tea-Ette, the choicest of tea with the (poisonous) tannin removed."
This round metal fire badge has a central decoration consisting of a fire helmet, two crossed fire trumpets, a crossed ladder and hook, fire torch, axe, and other firefighting paraphernalia. Above these is an old fire pumper, and below is a hose reel. The rim of the medal is inscribed "THE VOLUNTEER FIREMENS ASSOCIATION W.D. CITY OF BROOKLYN" with the number "497" inscribed in a plaque at the bottom of the badge. After the dissolution of volunteer firefighting companies in favor of a paid municipal force, volunteer associations were founded to continue the camaraderie of fire houses amongst former volunteers. This badge would have been worn by a member of Brooklyn’s Western District volunteer association, possibly in tandem with his active duty badge.
Metal firefighter’s badges were a part of the firefighter’s uniform since volunteer companies began to proliferate in the early 19th century. As volunteer companies gave way to municipal fire departments during the mid–19th century, these badges became mandated by uniform codes. Badges served as official identification at fire scenes, as access to derelict buildings by unscrupulous citizens could result in looting. Fire badges came in a variety of shapes, most notably circular, shield–shaped, or the Maltese cross. While shield–shaped badges were often worn on the chest, circular and cross-shaped badges can be seen on jacket lapels or soft caps. Badges usually detailed the company’s name, number and department, and were often decorated with various symbols of the profession such as hose carriages, hand–pumped engines, hoses, trumpets, helmets, hooks, and ladders. For paid municipal companies, many badges also featured the badge number of the wearer.