Churn Power. (open access)

Churn Power.

Patent for a new and improved motorized butter churn. This design is of "a simple and efficient device for converting a rotary into a reciprocating motion, which may be either vertical or horizontal, and is especially adapted to the various kinds of churns, washing-machines, and the like now in the market" (lines 13-18).
Date: January 4, 1881
Creator: Clark, William
System: The Portal to Texas History
Brush. (open access)

Brush.

Patent for a brush that provides adjustable handle for variety of uses and great saving of time and labor. The brush is durable and not excessively heavy.
Date: June 4, 1918
Creator: Lay, William C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Horse-Powers. (open access)

Improvement in Horse-Powers.

Patent for improvements made to motors that power machinery, called "horse-powers." The specific improvements made are in the arrangement of mechanical pulleys from which the motor derives power, arranged in such a way that will not significantly increase the size or cost of the machine.
Date: February 4, 1873
Creator: Müller, Joseph
System: The Portal to Texas History
Grass and Weed Cutter (open access)

Grass and Weed Cutter

Patent for devicd for the cutting of grass and pulling of weeds from the root. Development and use are within text; includes illustrations to demonstrate the object of the patent.
Date: December 4, 1917
Creator: Taylor, Lawrence S.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Dressing Millstones. (open access)

Dressing Millstones.

Patent for "a new and improved mode of dressing millstones for the purpose of grinding every kind of grain into meal flour &c., &c." (lines 4-7) including instructions and illustrations.
Date: March 4, 1851
Creator: Gaines, Edmund P.
System: The Portal to Texas History