Animal-Poke. (open access)

Animal-Poke.

Patent for a device that prevents animals such as cows from tearing down fences.
Date: February 12, 1901
Creator: Specht, W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Corn Planter. (open access)

Corn Planter.

Patent for a new and improved planter. This design consists in "[t]he combination of the plate, having extensions and laterally-extending arm or bracket, the hopper mounted upon the extension of the plate, the seed-slide or coiled spring connecting the front end of the latter with the bracket, metal plates secured to the front and rear sides of the rear wall of the hopper above the seed-slide, the brush or cut-off arranged between said plates, and suitable operating mechanism for retracting the seed-slide against the tension of the coiled spring" (lines 6-17).
Date: February 18, 1890
Creator: Cromer, Thomas L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wagon Spring. (open access)

Wagon Spring.

Patent for a new and improved wagon spring. This design "is to provide a vehicle in which springs of great strength may be employed which will not require stay-chains, and which will not increase the height of the wagon-body and cause inconvenience in loading and unloading the vehicle and in getting in and out, and, furthermore, to provide a vehicle in which the wagon-body may be but slightly elevated above the axles, and in which the springs will have great play" (lines 17-26).
Date: February 25, 1890
Creator: Conley, Miles D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improved Cosmetic. (open access)

Improved Cosmetic.

Patent for improvement in cosmetics by using various chemicals to enhance the cosmetics in which it “can remove freckles or tan-discoloration from the skin, and for improving the complexion.” (Line 5-6) Formula for the improved cosmetic is included. Instructions on how to prepare the cosmetic and how to use the cosmetic are described. There is no illustration.
Date: February 25, 1868
Creator: Wilson, I. M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Cotton Scrapers and Choppers. (open access)

Improvement in Cotton Scrapers and Choppers.

Patent for "the invention of a new and useful Improvement in Combined Cotton Scraper and Chopper" (lines 3-5), including illustrations.
Date: February 23, 1875
Creator: McClaugherty, William H.
System: The Portal to Texas History