Henry G. Sellman from North Newburg, Michigan, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 114869 was issued on May 16, 1871.
This model features an improved hinge that facilitates a seat that folds up and a desk on the back of the backrest that folds down. The innovation would give more room between desks when necessary. The desk and seat combination was constructed of metal and wood but only the side support featuring the hinge remains.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
George F. Perkins from San Francisco, California, received a U.S. patent for an improved reading desk. Patent no. 121810 was issued on December 12, 1871.
This desk is entirely wooden and has pew-like supporters rather than traditional chair legs. It was referred to as the “pendent reading desk” although there is no desk with this seat today. It was designed to be fastened to a chair or even a bedstead, and it stays in place with the help of a strap. There are armrests, and the top of the seat back has two arches as a design element. The support arches curve above the user's head. The shelf for reading is pictured holding a lamp as well. The patent model describes it as being “a very convenient apparatus for reading or writing with ease.” There are armrests and the top of the seat back has two arches as a design element.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
James Russell from Plymouth, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 117467 was issued on July 25, 1871.
This model has two separate seats that fold up, with a backrest connected like a bench. There are two attached desks behind the back rest that both have lids that can lift up. The wooden bench seat and desk are made of a dark wood with metal hinges. The desktop is divided to make a pair. The bench on the desk front is split in the same manner as the desktop. There is storage underneath both desks for books. The seats fold up individually, though the back rest is connected like a bench. The model includes original patent tags.
James Russell was born in 1821 and became a carpenter in Plymouth, Indiana.
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 if desired. 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.
Josiah Delph and William A. Bradford from Goshen, Indiana received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 179472 was issued on July 4, 1876.
This model consists of a chair in front and the attached desk behind it. The desk folds up and down with metal hinges, and it can be locked and unlocked. The compressed slats are maple-colored wood and create horizontal grooves in the seat. The iron legs have feet with small holes for attaching to a base. The desk top, the supports and legs are of decoratively cut metal. The original patent tags are attached to the desk. One tag is pasted to a newspaper clipping illustrating the machinery of the desk top.
Josiah Delph and William A. Bradford worked for L.H. Nobel & Sons, a leading manufacturer of school furniture.
George H. Grant from Richmond, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved seat. Patent no. 151873 was issued on June 9, 1874.
This model is a combination of iron and wood. The improved seat can be used in churches, parks, schools, halls, or lawns. The intent was to make a stronger seat that was cheap, portable, and easily constructed without skilled labor. The backrest and seat are made of dark wooden slats that are pushed together and curved for support. The feet of the chair legs feature holes that can be for mounting to a base.
George H. Grant and John Allen formed a partnership to manufacture school desks. After Allen’s death, the firm became George H. Grant & Company. In 1876 Grant formed a partnership with A. W. Hempleman to manufacture school and church furniture.
John Mealey from St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 83521 was issued on October 27, 1868.
This model has a folding desktop, making this design popular in schools as well as lecture rooms and halls. The simple construction was durable and accommodating, whether it was being used as a seat, table, or desk. "John Mealey" is written in a golden colored paint on the backrest. The bench is made of a dark, flat wood. There are two shelves underneath the seat that have crevices for an inkwell. The legs and armrest are made out of metal. No part of the desk is compactable or folding.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Charles Perley from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a U.S. patent for an improved school seat. Patent no. 24151 was issued on May 24, 1859.
The patent is a combination of wood and metal, with a very wide bench. It is mechanically able to fold up from the bottom seat. There are no curves or slopes that mold to the body and no armrests. They were designed to be used on the perimeter of the room when the rest of the school room, church, or other building is full. The folding seat was important for moving, as well as making the rooms easier to clean. There are two marks: "C. Perely and Sons/ 114 Columbia St, NY/ 1858," inscribed with a stamp on top of the base and on the seat back. The base is incorrrectly stamped with the name mispelled. The patent paper signature clearly spells "Perley."
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Henry Merz from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 204444 was issued on June 4, 1878.
This model is a combination of wood and black metal. The bench or chair is comprised of compressed slats that form horizontal grooves in the seat and backrest. The chair curves for comfort and body support and lifts up. The desk is attached to the back of the backrest. The desktop is made of wood and has storage underneath the desk for books. The desktop is supported by a metal frame that connects to the chair's support system.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
School desk model but this desk does not have a patent number or patent tags so it may be a salesman's sample. The three desks are lined up front to back giving an indication as to what a free standing front desk and a free standing back seat will look like and why it is necessary to order one of each of these per classroom row. Two have chairs attached to the front and the last has a separate chair. There is an enclosed shelf under each desktop. The legs of desks and chair and supports for chairback are metal and all are screwed to a mahogany wood base. The middle desk and chair is missing one screw on one support on the same side.
Aaron W. Hempleman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 177835 was issued on May 23, 1876.
This model has metal legs and feet and a desk that consists of light and dark wooden slats. The metal sides feature a design, adding visual interest to the desk. The desk is attached to the backrest, and although the seat and backrest are curved, there is no lower back support. There is a storage shelf underneath the desktop that remains stationary. There is an extra bracket attached to the side of the desk.
Aaron W. Hempleman joined the firm originated by John P. Allen and George H. Grant. In 1876, he and Grant formed Grant & Hempleman to manufacture church and school furniture.
William F. Spencer from Richmond, Indiana, received a U.S. patent for an improved school seat hinge. Patent model no. 179877 was issued on July 18, 1876.
This is a wooden hinge model and lever that is painted black. A metal screw holds the hinge together. This hinge is an improvement to the pivot bolt from Patent no. 176701, discussed in CL*65.0397. The improvement secured the seat in its desired place. The device had applications for other furniture.
William Fouke Spencer (1833-1920) was the son of Quakers Mary Custard and Jesse Spencer. He became a lawyer and a merchant, marrying Christina Bradley of Philadelphia. He moved west to Ohio and eventually to Indiana and the family claims he assisted with the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. He and his wife had 6 children. As an entrepreneur, he developed an interest in the expanding school supply industry and developed improvements in desk design. In 1875 he filed the first of his patents on improvements on combination school seat and desks. His patents were: 176,701, issued April 25, 1876; 179,877, issued July 18, 1876; and 316,495 on June 23, 1884 for an opera chair By 1880, he was listing his profession as a manufacturer of school furniture, having joined the firm originated by John P. Allen and George H. Grant. It became Haynes, Spencer & Company. When it was destroyed in a fire in 1892, he founded the Richmond School Furniture Company. He also founded the American Lawnmower Company in 1895. Both companies moved to Muncie, Indiana in 1902.
John Upham and William Kline from Easton, Ohio, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 127940 was issued on June 11, 1872.
This desk has a wooden seat and legs with a cast iron frame with brass pieces at the joint and wooden slatted seat. The seat in the front of the desk folds up and the desk top behind the seat folds up. The desktop slides down behind the backrest. The desktop does not lift open, and it has no storage but folds compactly. These were created to be lined up in rows in the classroom with the desk at the end of each row using a freestanding chair.
John Upham was born in Easton, Ohio, in 1834. He worked as a carpenter and filed numerous patents. He died in 1911.
William H. Kline was born in Easton, Ohio, in 1824. He worked as a wagon maker and filed numerous patents. He died in 1901.
