Animal Shears. (open access)

Animal Shears.

Patent for new and improved animal shears. This design is "of a platinum or other wire or conductor heated to a high temperature, sufficient to burn through the fibers of the wool or hair, and [is] passed over the surface of the body as close as may be deemed desirable to the roots. No injurious effects are produced upon the animal or upon the wool or hair removed, while at the same time the same may be removed with great uniformity and expedition" (lines 28-36).
Date: June 8, 1886
Creator: Harrell, Joseph J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Curry Comb. (open access)

Curry Comb.

Patent for a new and improved curry-comb. This design "has relation to that class of curry-combs provided with detachable and reversible handles, and has for its object to provide simple and effective means whereby the handle can be readily detached from the comb and replaced in a reverse position, or removed for the purpose of economizing for space in packing for transportation" (lines 17-24).
Date: June 8, 1886
Creator: Johnson, Thomas Jefferson
System: The Portal to Texas History
Insecticide. (open access)

Insecticide.

Patent for an inflammable compound for exterminating destructive insects and animals that contains alkanet-root, arsenious acid, gum-camphor, iodine resubl., phosphorus, sulphur resubl., and bisulphide carbon.
Date: January 8, 1886
Creator: Shugart, T. Woodward. & Clifton, Charley D.
System: The Portal to Texas History