Mechanical Movement. (open access)

Mechanical Movement.

Patent for a mechanical movement using a crank to operate the lazy-tongs through the medium of a pitman, guided by a pair of parallel wires and, a reciprocating bar guided by a socket to produce the reciprocating motion. Illustration is included.
Date: February 10, 1891
Creator: Baker, George W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Corn-Thinner. (open access)

Corn-Thinner.

Patent for improvements in corn-thinners for removing excess stalks in the field by constructing the “upper portion’s blade flat to present straight side cutting edges, and having the lower portion curved transversely to present to a lower semicircular cutting edge.” (Lines 53-56.) With this design, the operator would not have to stoop over, making the thinning operation easier. Illustration is included.
Date: February 17, 1903
Creator: Horn, Henry G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Window Ventilation. (open access)

Window Ventilation.

Patent for a window ventilator for use in damp or cold weather that blocks the rain or cold, while allowing fresh air to enter the house.
Date: February 8, 1910
Creator: Best, Julius J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Article Holder or Stand. (open access)

Article Holder or Stand.

Patent for a device that conveniently and readily supports books, photographs, picture cards, and other similar articles. The new design is formed from a single strand of wire, and is specifically adapted for holding books in an open position and allowing the pages to be turned as needed.
Date: February 28, 1922
Creator: Boyette, Oren K.
System: The Portal to Texas History