This patent model demonstrates an invention for a chromatic web press for printing a narrow strip of paper, such as a strip of tickets, with several colors successively. The invention was granted patent number 225501. The long type form, suspended above the platen, was inked from a divided fountain. The paper moved intermittently down the length of the form and received each color in turn.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a combined tool in which bodkin and tweezers folded into their own handle for portability; the invention was granted patent number 70261. The bodkin (a small pointed awl) and tweezers were tools with many uses in the print shop, and always ready to the printer's hand.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder press which was granted patent number 120646. The patent detailed improvements to the movement of the bed in cylinder presses. The bed traveled faster when the cylinder was not in contact, allowing the cylinder to be of a smaller diameter than otherwise.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a lithographic printing press which was granted patent number 145420. The patent detailed adapting a hand press to power. Power sent the stone under the scraper and returned it. The inking of the form and the placing of the paper were performed by hand.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a platen printing press, which was granted patent number 40099. In this invention, one of a series on Gordon's platen presses, the platen was pivoted on long legs. The bed, rocking on its own axis, was locked into vertical position to take the impact of impression. The model is incomplete: the platen assembly is missing.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for ink fountains with cleaning blades that overcame the problem of accumulated lint on the rollers; the invention was granted patent number 150762.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for printers' furniture which was granted patent number 141450. Furniture of a single length was used, and each piece was slotted horizontally from each end to near the middle, so that the side and end pieces could be fitted through each other.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an ink fountain for printing presses which was granted patent number 194218. The patent provided a way of controlling the flow of ink from the fountain, and avoiding the accumulation of lint on the doctor blade.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a hand press which was granted patent number 18527. The platen was lowered by a series of conical rollers turning against cam discs. The platen adjustment wedge was placed at the crown of the press instead of the usual position in the hub of the platen, to avoid being knocked - "for it is well known that pressmen are in the habit of throwing their wrenches or other tools down on the platen.”
This patent model demonstrates an invention for the automated cancelling of postal stamps. A cylinder was engraved with place and state names; the date was inserted in moveable type. The invention was granted patent number 121099.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a method of producing a lithographic printing surface by coating a metal plate or cylinder with tin, by electrolytic or chemical means. The invention was granted patent number 160177. (Friedlander and Moeller were from Leipzig, Saxony.)
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a flatbed cylinder printing press which was granted patent number 18744. The small hand-cranked cylinder press included a movable feed table. Paper was fed not to the cylinder but to a flat frisket. After printing, the frisket flipped up to drop the sheet on the delivery board. Inking was by hand.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for an elastic underlay between glass and a printing block used for printing on glass. The invention was granted patent number 170136. Model consists of numerous rubber blocks, once fixed to a base but now detached and hardened.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a book-trimmer and paper-cutting machine which was granted patent number 19654. The machine describes a paper cutter on which the table rode up a sloping track, pulling the paper obliquely across the horizontally mounted blade.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for improvements to the method of feeding sheets to a book-sewing mechanism; the invention was granted patent number 250987. David Smyth (1833-1907), was a prolific inventor in many fields of manufacturing before patenting his first book-sewing machine in 1868. Ultimately his machines redefined bookbinding, in the term Smyth-sewn. The model is incomplete.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for printers' quoins and sidesticks which was granted patent number 164543. Tapered sidesticks were grooved along the inclined side. Quoins, with a metal key to slide in the groove, were made using a pair of wedge-shaped blocks to provide fine adjustment.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a bookbinders' sewing table that was vertically adjustable, so the sheets could be lowered to a convenient height for the sewer as the pile grew. This avoided the usual practice of “putting blocks or boxes of increasing thickness in the operator's chair." The invention was granted patent number 59240.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a writing apparatus for the blind including a board with a movable guide for pencil writing (ordinary manuscript, as distinct from braille and other forms of writing with a point). The model, as it survives, consists of the guide only, without the board. The invention was granted patent number 125024.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a book-sewing machine which was granted patent number 184961. The machine was capable of sewing a large number of volumes without stopping the machine. It was an improvement on an earlier machine patented by David M. Smyth.
This patent model demonstrates an invention for a machine for rounding the backs of books by means of rollers, either before or after binding; the invention was granted patent number 24425.