Propeller of Machinery to be used in Currents. (open access)

Propeller of Machinery to be used in Currents.

Patent for a propelled water wheel that is attached to the back of a vessel that uses a current of water and stream power, including illustrations.
Date: November 18, 1851
Creator: Hardie, James
System: The Portal to Texas History
Hay-Press. (open access)

Hay-Press.

Patent for a hay press that is meant to "check the rebound of the plunger so that the working beam or lever will not be thrown against the horse; also to provide for automatically applying a brake for the purpose of checking the rebound; also to provide for cushioning the rebound of the plunger so as to prevent or check its tendency to throw the toggle elver against the main lever; also to provide for automatically giving a signal or alarm to indicate when a bale of a given size has been compressed; also to improve the construction of the tie box portion of the press; also to generally improve the construction of parts" (lines 17-30).
Date: April 18, 1893
Creator: McNeill, Charles DeWitt
System: The Portal to Texas History
Fire and Burglar Proof Safe. (open access)

Fire and Burglar Proof Safe.

Patent for a safe "constructed as to be safe from fire and burglars, and at which the same time may be made lighter, and may be less expensive in manufacture than when made in the usual way." (para. 4). Additionally, safe is airtight and water-proof.
Date: March 18, 1870
Creator: Wilkins, Samuel Adams
System: The Portal to Texas History