Shearing and Punching Machine. (open access)

Shearing and Punching Machine.

Patent for punches and shears combined to cut metal longitudinally.
Date: July 3, 1888
Creator: Echols, Christaphor Columbus
System: The Portal to Texas History
Bicycle. (open access)

Bicycle.

Patent for a bicycle that can be operated by the operator's hands or feet or both, and the motion used to operate the bicycle is that of rowing. "the rider must assume a position upon the machine corresponding to that assumed by an oarsman in a boat, and as the rider can work with both hands and feet all the energy and strength he is capable of exerting can be brought to bear upon the propelling mechanism in a most effective manner, and the seat can be rendered much more comfortable than at present and in no wise interfere with the rider's movements" (lines 18-27).
Date: April 3, 1894
Creator: Hyde, Thomas B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire-Stretcher. (open access)

Wire-Stretcher.

Patent for a wire-stretcher "to provide a device of the class embodying new and improved features of utility, convenience, indestructibility, and cheapness." (lines 8-12) including instructions and illustrations.
Date: October 3, 1905
Creator: Kimbro, John A. & Kimbro, Jeremirah H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Letter Tie. (open access)

Letter Tie.

Patent for a new and improved clasp for letters. This design calls for wire or sheet metal to be shaped into a suitable size and shape for letters, including tabs on the ends to snap together to fasten the letters. This eliminates the need for twine or string, which reduces the flammability of the packages.
Date: May 3, 1881
Creator: Price, James N.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Water Cup for Stove Pipes. (open access)

Water Cup for Stove Pipes.

Patent for a new and improved water-cup for stove pipes. This design "relates to water cups or vessels arranged on the outside of stove-pipes, and whereby the heat of the pipe of the stove is made to evaporate the water for the purpose of imparting moisture to the air of the apartment containing the stove and so improving the healthiness and pleasantness of the atmosphere of the room" (lines 8-15).
Date: March 3, 1885
Creator: Atkin, Samuel T.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Starting Device for Engines (open access)

Starting Device for Engines

Patent for a starting device for automobile engines. Illustrations included.
Date: September 3, 1912
Creator: Roberts, James O. & Nunn, John W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Seed-Planter. (open access)

Seed-Planter.

Patent for a seed planter in which the “plows is used in connection with the purpose of opening a furrow to receive the seed and for quickly covering the seed after it has been deposited.” (Lines 15-18) In addition, an auxiliary plow is attached “to work directly in front of the seed tube, as to provide the scattering of the seed and to cause it to be deposited directly into the furrow.” (Lines 29-32) Illustration is included.
Date: February 3, 1903
Creator: Ferriott, Charles L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Exhaust Fan. (open access)

Exhaust Fan.

Patent for a new exhaust fan. Patent for "a new and improved exhaust fan design that can be adapted for exhausting in any capacity and for creating a suction and discharging the air from any devices in connection." (lines 8-13) including instructions and illustrations. Patent for a new exhaust fan design with operating construction, including illustrations.
Date: January 3, 1893
Creator: Hyde, Thomas B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Plow. (open access)

Plow.

Patent for an improvement in plows by “employing a combined brace for the mold-board and a locking device for the share” (lines 46-48), including illustration.
Date: March 3, 1891
Creator: Hyer, Robert Stewart
System: The Portal to Texas History