Knee-Pad. (open access)

Knee-Pad.

Patent for a knee-pad that is meant to protect cotton-pickers as they crawl in uncomfortable areas. The knee-pads are made up of a concave oval made from leather, metal, or another strong material, with cloth attached to the base and edges of the oval. Straps go around the cloth and around the leg to hold it in place.
Date: July 7, 1896
Creator: Fergusson, William P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Pen Holder. (open access)

Pen Holder.

Patent for a new and improved pen holder. This design "is to provide a pen holder of simple construction that may be easily held between the fingers without cramping the same, that will hold the pen in such a position in relation to the eye as to enable the writer to write well, and that will be adapted to hands of various sizes. To this end [the] invention consists of a curved flat holder having a shank projecting from the end thereof, to which a pen may be attached, said shank being nearly parallel with the straight portion of the holder, and in line with the eye when held in position for writing" (lines 9-22).
Date: July 29, 1890
Creator: Palmer, Joshua C.
System: The Portal to Texas History