School desk model, no patent tags or number are evident so this may be a salesman's sample. The seat folds up to back rest. Slatted horizontal wood. Slats alternate between light and dark colored wood. Metal legs, hinges and support frame. The desk portion is behind bench back rest so these would have been lined up in rows in a classroom. A shelf is underneath desk top for storage. The legs have feet and holes to mount to a platform. Pivot piece is metal as are the legs.
William A. Slaymaker from Louisville, Kentucky, received a U.S. patent for an improved opera chair. Patent no. 151926 was issued on June 9, 1874.
The patent featured a design that would close automatically when it was not in use. This ability to fold up allowed for a more compact form. The desk was designed to be simple and inexpensive yet pleasing in appearance. The model has a wooden seat with a frayed cushion. The seat is curved and folds up to the backrest..The ironwork on the sides of the chair and armrest feature a detail of grapes. There is also a footrest bar. While this chair was initially designed for the opera, it was also used for school desk chairs.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Addison S. Vorse from Des Moines, Iowa, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 97005 was issued on March 16, 1869.
This seat frpm the desk model is made of wood and has steel hardware attached to the bottom. A wooden plaque with a metal piece is screwed into the board as well. The seat was able to fold down, and there is storage for books. According to the patent draeing, the desk is attached to the back of the bench.
Addison S. Vorse was born in 1821. Along with his brother, Norman, he manufactured and sold agricultural implements in Iowa.
Allen H. Brown from May's Landing, New Jersey, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 71970 was issued on December 10, 1867.
This model features a wooden desk with metal hinges and bench sides similar to the sides of pews. The desk is hinged to the back of the bench and swings upon steel supporting arms. It has a flat front face and seat. The seat and backrest join together for lower back support. The desk lid lifts up with the help of metal hinges. It has bench-like sides with a design cut out on the front part of the legs.
Allen Henry Brown was born in 1820 and educated at the University of New York and Columbia College. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1841 and became a Presbyterian minister. In 1846 he was sent to serve at the Presbyterian Church in May’s Landing, New Jersey. As the appointed missionary of West Jersey Presbytery, he was part of a mid-century revival of Presbyterianism and was instrumental in organizing many new congregations. His missionary work was directed towards improving school conditions, promoting education, and building schools. Brown died in 1907.
Isaac Whitbeck from Potter, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 209533 was issued on October 29, 1878.
This is an improvement for a two seat desk. The two desktops fold out from the middle on opposite sides and are painted black and red. The storage area is divided into sections for pens, inkstands, and private papers. On top of the desk is a place for a lamp as well as adjustable reflectors. This model is composed primarily of metal and is in poor condition as it is missing the leg supports and the central desk surface..
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
William Erwin and Thomas Dugdale from Richmond, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 100275 was issued by Dugdale and Erwin on March 1, 1870.
This desk is made of wood, with brass legs and metal hinges. It has a flat backrest and seat. The seat and backrest do not join. The desktop lifts up and has storage underneath. The seat folds up as well. The specifications state the desk should be made out of ash or walnut lumber and should be put together with wooden screws. The metal parts should be made of cast iron, except for the screws, which they stated should be made of wrought iron. There is a plate on the backrest, but the writing is not legible. Erwin's name is on the backrest. There is a wooden foundation, and the entire base is made of either brass or metal.
We are not aware of any additional information about William Erwin.
Thomas Dugdale holds patents for numerous inventions.
James Smith from Richmond, Indiana received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 62375 was issued on February 26, 1867.
This model features wooden benches with dividers that are used for storage and open from the top. The desk compartment is located behind the bench and also has storage.
Ezra Smith, Asa Smith, and James Smith owned Ezra Smith & Co. where they manufactured various types of school furniture.
David Francis from Birckenhead, Chester, England, first received a British patent for an improved desk and seat on June 27, 1873 and then received an American patent, no.155231, which was issued on September 22, 1874.
This model is a combination of black cast iron and wood. The cast iron has circular designs, while the seat and backrest are flat and create a 90-degree angle with no curves for body comfort. The desktop reads, "Lift the top to unlock it - Francis's patent." There is no lower back seat support because there is a gap between the backrest and seat. The seat itself has no curves for body comfort or support. There are also black tacks bolted from the wooden seat onto an iron-based support system. The backrest folds up towards the desktop. Francis advertised the full sized production version of this desk.
David Francis was born in Somerset, England ca 1830. He worked as a carpenter/joiner in England, and died in Kenilworth, England on July 9, 1902.
George W. Puterbaugh from Greenfield, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent model no. 173340 was issued on February 8, 1876 with Alfred E. Teal.
This desk has storage and slants downward. It is made of oak and has metal screws. The seat folds up, and bumpers are incorporated into the design to prevent the seat from slamming and creating noise. It has crossed member supports with a heavily reinforced folding seat and cloverleaf design. The seat curves and has a backrest for support.
George W. Puterbaugh was born in 1844. He served as a school principal and later as superintendent in Greenfield, Indiana. He went on to found the Straight Wood Co. (also called the Straight Wood School Desk Co.) to manufacture desks. He died in 1887.
Edward J. Stearns from Cambridge, Maryland, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk model. Patent no. 76839 was issued on April 14, 1868.
This desk was created to eliminate lid slamming. The design features a lid that opens towards the student and is adequately supported when in use. The desk is supported on a pair of simple turned legs attached to a wooden platform. The platform has a hole for another leg that may have supported a seat. There is writing in black ink across the platform that reads: "E.J. Stearns' School Desk." The stool is round with no backrest. It has a single monobloc base while the desk has two.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Joseph Ingels from Milton, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent model 102941 was issued on May 10, 1870.
This desk combines wood, iron, and brass. The bench has a sloped bottom for more support. The desk is attached to the backrest and can be compacted for more space. The seat of the bench is made out of slatted wood. It also has iron armrests on each side of the bench. The desk can be raised and lowered as needed. Rubber cushions have been added to prevent the desk from making noise when closing. The seat also accommodated the movement of the students so that they could rock backward and forward as needed. There are two labels inside the desk that read "R. Carkhuff/North Front St., Lewisburg, PA./Models, cutouts, patterns./Model maker, engineer and brass and gear work.” There is a pierced pattern on the desk side support.
Joseph Ingels was best known for inventing seeding equipment. He founded the Hoosier Grain Drilling Company and began manufacturing in 1859. After a series of acquisitions, the company eventually became part of International Harvester.
Francis Wilbur from Wabash, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 140979 was issued on July 15, 1873.
This model is simply crafted of wood and consists of a desktop featuring a sliding bench. The sliding mechanism as well as the pivoted levers used to support the bench were innovations in this patent. The horizontal, sliding platform features a section that can fold up to provide a book rest. The desk’s support is not comprised of legs, but from entire boards of wood on all exterior sides. "F. A. Wilbur" is painted with stencil on the desktop. The patent tag is nailed on.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Thomas Redmayne from Sheffield, York, England, received a British patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 169478 was issued on November 2, 1875.
This is a partial model, consisting of a dark wooden rectangular plank with metal screws and two brackets that are connected by three screws, and there is a metal circular piece on each end. The desk was made of dark wood and designed to be adjustable. A wheel mechanism was used for adjusting and altering the angle of the desktop. Lying flat, it formed a table; reclined, it formed a desk, and placed in a vertical position, it served as a seat back.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
James Monteith from New York, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 40117 was issued on September 29, 1863.
This desk is made completely from unpolished wood. Monteith's name is printed on the backrest of the bench. The seat folds up and the legs flare out. There are armrests that have a circular arch and curve.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
John P. Allen from Richmond, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for improvements in a school desk. Patent no. 46980 was issued on March 28, 1865.
This desk is attached onto the back of the seat, and there are metal dividers between the seats to separate the desks. The design makes the desk sturdy so that it can stand without being fastened to the floor. The backrest and seat join for lower back support, but there are no curves in the design. Decorative ironwork assists in connecting multiple desks. "Allen inventor, Richmond, Indiana" is written on a silver plate that is mounted on the backrest. There is storage provided underneath the desktop, but the top does not lift up.
John P. Allen formed a partnership with George H. Grant to manufacture Allen’s self-supporting school desks. When Allen died in 1868, Joseph Marchant became a partner. Marchant was succeeded by Joshua Nickerson and William Wooten, and the firm became known as the George H. Grant & Company.
Charles H. Presbrey from Sterling, Illinoi,s received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 135154 was issued on January 21, 1873.
This desk features a hinge designed to minimize the damage done by friction. The wood is an oak color with iron painted black and has a novelty design to it. Dark and light colored wood alternate together. The seat folds up. The seat is curved, and the desk is attached behind the bench. There is a groove for writing utensils and storage under the desk for books. On both sides of the desk is an iron logo that is shaped as a circle. "COGGER" is carved on the wooden base, and there is a signature in black ink on top of the seat that says "Charles H. Presbrey." The monogram “A” is impressed in the lower leg support of the desk probably as a manufacturer's mark. The model is attached to a wooden base for stability, but this would not be present in the full sized desk. Disjointed parts are tied together and attached to the model, indicating an earlier repair.
Charles Presbrey was born in 1835. In 1885 Presbrey and Edward Thomas founded C.H. Presbrey & Co. taking over the Novelty Manufacturing Company, originally founded in 1869.
George Sherwood from Chicago, Illinois, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 69850 was issued on October 15, 1867.
Calvin W. Sherwood from Chicago, Illinois, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 101670 was issued on April 5, 1870.
These patents use a combination of cast iron and wood, though other suitable materials could be used. George Sherwood’s patent allowed the desk seat to be raised without striking the back of the seat. Calvin Sherwood’s patent allowed for a space leaving the back of the seat independent of the desk behind it. Because desks were frequently attached to the chair of the student in front, his patent was designed to address the problem of a student seated in front moving around and disrupting the student sitting behind.
In 1856 George Sherwood moved from Connecticut to Chicago, Illinois, where he started George Sherwood & Company, later known as the Sherwood School Furniture Company. His brother, Calvin, taught school for many years before joining his brother’s company. In addition to student desks, the company manufactured other school items as well as publishing textbooks.
Albert E. Roberts from Des Moines, Iowa, received a U.S. patent for an improved school bench and desk. Patent no. 138045 was issued on April 22, 1873.
The bench seat is made of wooden slats pushed together in order to create more curved back support. The wood back and flip up desk top are missing from the model. The legs are on a hinge, which enables the back to fold up. The desk was designed to be easily taken apart for packing and shipping. The designed model regulates the friction of the joints, enabling the desk to be noiseless.
Albert E. Roberts (1842-1917) was listed as a manufacturer of school furniture in the 1870 US Census and a school principal for the East Side Public Schools in the 1866 City Directory in Des Moines, Iowa. He later moved to Norwalk, Ohio. This collection contains three desk patent model's Mr. Roberts.
William P. Uhlinger from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 3297 was issued on December 22, 1868.
This desk is attached to the back of the seat, and the desktop does not lift up. There is ironwork on the side of the desk, as well as a shelf underneath the desk for storage. There is also a place for an inkwell. The backrest and seat are flat and have no curves. The metal work is green with metal hinges.
William P. Uhlinger joined with George W. Harris to form W. P. Uhlinger in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company manufactured and sold school furniture and desks.
Isaac Newton Peirce from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a U.S. patent for an improved walnut and brass school desk. Patent no. 121543 was issued on December 5, 1871.
This desk features a shelf for books. The patent suggested there be a pocket or small shelf in front of the bookshelf for holding pens and pencils. The desk can be raised or lowered. It has a pair of cast brass "A" shape pieces which are used to support a writing flap. The bench is smooth with a curved backrest. There are also springs underneath the desktop.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.