Improvement in Tape-Worm Medicines. (open access)

Improvement in Tape-Worm Medicines.

Patent for a compound called “Tape-Worm Medicine” that is used to “remove tape-worms from the human body speedily and effectually; and it consists in a composition formed from the fibrils of the roots of the pomegranate mixed with water” (lines 9-13).
Date: September 23, 1879
Creator: Nette, August
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Lever-Powers. (open access)

Improvement in Lever-Powers.

Patent for a lever-power which applies "the power and resistance to the lever, so that they will change positions with relation to the fulcrum as the power end of the lever descends" (para. 2). The relation of the lever with the fulcrum is flexible, and allows for increased leverage.
Date: September 23, 1879
Creator: Franklin, Mathew Calhoun
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Fences. (open access)

Improvement in Fences.

Patent for a new and useful improvement in fences, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: September 23, 1873
Creator: King, Wilbur F.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Improvement in Bridges. (open access)

Improvement in Bridges.

Patent for an improvement in Bridges and Self-Supporting Roofs and Girders. The invention provides instruction for "the construction of truss-bridges and self supporting roofs and girders"..."by nailing or bolting securely together successive layers of plank joined at different points."
Date: May 26, 1873
Creator: Davis, Benjamin F.
System: The Portal to Texas History