Mechanical Motor. (open access)

Mechanical Motor.

Patent for a new and improved motor. This design "provide[s] an apparatus by means of which a series of weights or balls may be successively and continuously elevated to any given height, to be subsequently employed to operate any suitable machinery by gravitation" (lines 15-20).
Date: January 11, 1881
Creator: Conner, Laurance H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oscillating Cradle. (open access)

Oscillating Cradle.

Patent for a new and improved oscillating cradle. This design utilizes a hand-crank and gears to gently rock the wooden cradle back and forth. Also connected to the crank is a wooden rod at the bottom which gently strikes a xylophone underneath.
Date: January 11, 1881
Creator: Brown, Fred Harvey
System: The Portal to Texas History
Car Coupling. (open access)

Car Coupling.

Patent for a new and improved design for freight car coupling. This design calls for a sliding block, with the assistance of metal pins, to lock the link between two freight cars firmly in place. This eliminates the possibility of accidental disconnect.
Date: January 11, 1881
Creator: Upson, Bolivar J.
System: The Portal to Texas History