Figure i. — Campaign torch, 

 1837, as shown in patent 248, 

 issued June 30, 1837. 



Figure 2. — Patent model ol i860 

 campaign torch. (Smithsonian photo 

 50555-) 



Figure 3. — Double-burner campaign 

 torch, i860, Jevvett Tin Collection. 

 (Smithsonian photo 50550.) 



Catalog of Torches 



CAMPAIGN TORCH, 1 837 Figure 7 



No example found. 



One of the earliest patented torches on record in 

 the U.S. Patent Office, was that patented by Jeremiah 

 Martin of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1837. This 

 particular torch was designed with a receptacle cup 

 to catch any oil which might leak or flow from the 

 bowl, especially if the torch was tilted while carried 

 by hand. The excluded oil would then run back 

 into the reservoir or bowl of the torch. Classified 

 by the patentee as a "campaign torch," it was made 

 to swivel and could be tilted when used in parades. 



CAMPAIGN TORCH, 1 860 Figure 2 



USNM 332319, (Patent model) 

 USNM 227739 (Becker Collection) 



In 1860, an important feature was added to the 

 parade torch. L. T. Pitkin of Hartford, Connecticut, 

 patented a frame which featured a ring to form a 

 revolving and oscillating frame containing the lamp 

 or torch. With the development of this feature, the 

 torch bowl would always remain in an upright 

 position regardless of how it was tilted. This was 

 a great improvement over the old type which required 

 the paraders to wear oilcloth capes in order to prevent 



18 



BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY 



