Combined Pessary and Womb-Battery. (open access)

Combined Pessary and Womb-Battery.

Patent for a combined pessary and womb-battery. It is inserted into a woman's vagina and is used to deliver medication "and to stimulate the genitals to a healthy and normal action both mechanically and electrically" (lines 11-13). The device is worn without discomfort and can be worn while pregnant.
Date: July 7, 1896
Creator: Keller, Martha Ellen
System: The Portal to Texas History
Combined Inkstand and Pen-Rack. (open access)

Combined Inkstand and Pen-Rack.

Patent for a inkstand with a magnetized pen-rack. If the pen or pencil isn't metal, a metal sleeve is provided to put around the utensil so it can sit on the rack. There is a space for ink-wells, pen-boxes, and a space for advertisements. It is meant for customers to use in lobbies.
Date: July 14, 1896
Creator: Moyer, Herman
System: The Portal to Texas History
Speed-Indicator. (open access)

Speed-Indicator.

Patent for a speed-indicator to be used on trolly-cars and other vehicles that informs anyone looking behind the trolly-car if that car is speeding or not. An alarm goes off when the car goes above a predetermined speed, which is activated by a governor that is controlled from the wheels. A device keeps the signal normal.
Date: July 7, 1896
Creator: Bateman, Talbot Owens
System: The Portal to Texas History
General Index and Alphabetical Record. (open access)

General Index and Alphabetical Record.

Patent for a general index and alphabetical record that organizes records in an index instead of a book.It is a chest of shallow drawers, each having a letter of the alphabet printed on its front. Attached to each drawer is a blank book.
Date: July 28, 1896
Creator: Ward, George C.
System: The Portal to Texas History