Figure 60. — Jack-A-Lantern torch, 

 1889, as shown in patent 396252, 

 issued January 15, 1889. 



Figures 61 & 62. — Campaign lanterns, 

 1888. Lantern on left, as shown in 

 patent 187 17, and lantern on right, as 

 shown in patent 18716. Both patents 

 were issued on November 6, 1 888. 



Figure 63. — Lantern frame, 

 1888. (Smithsonian photo 

 49926-G.) 



"JACK-A-LANTERN" torch, 1889 Figure 60 



No example found. 



This Jack-A-Lantern torch was inxented by George 

 A. Beidler of Middletown, Pennsylvania, in 1889, as 

 a toy for ainusing children, and in addition "might 

 be used as a cainpaign torch for celebrations, torch- 

 light processions, political meetings and other like 

 occasions where an effective pyrotechnic display is 

 desirable." '^ The body of the torch was constructed 

 of sheet metal, papier-mache, glass, or other material 

 capable of being shaped. The torch is made of two 

 pieces so that when placed back to back it would 



present a likeness of a human face on each side. The 

 portions representing the eyes, nostrils, and mouth 

 were to be cut away for illuminating. At the top of 

 the torch was an opening, over which was an elevated 

 hood to permit the escape of the vitiated air, yet keep 

 out the rain or snow. A disk at the bottom of the 

 torch served as a resting place for a candle or a lamp. 

 The supporting device was made of wire. No model 

 was submitted to the Patent Office, and the writer 

 has never seen an exainple of this torch. After the 

 turn of the century, other Jack-A-Lantern torches, 

 somewhat resemblina; the earlier one, were patented. 



'- The original patent claim included ears, but this claim was 

 later struck out because they did not appear in the drawings. 

 The patent also claimed exclusive right to the original idea of 

 molding material in the shape of a human head. This was 

 rejected since it interfered with British patent 14806, issued in 

 1 887 to Barker and Nuthall for lamp shades, and French 

 patent 194815, issued September 4, 1777, on masks. The 

 French claimed there was no novelty in molding a material in 

 the shape of a human head and the Enghsh claimed there was 

 nothing new involved in the making of a head with translucent 

 apertures. A similar American patent 313343 was issued 



on March 3, 1885, to Kitchen for signs. Also conflicting with 

 Beidler's patent is that granted to Wattles (patent 104516) 

 June 21, 1870, on lamp shades. 



Beidler's idea of having the support for the candleholder or 

 lamp attached to the main part by a bayonet joint was rejected 

 in that it had previously been exhibited by DeForest (patent 

 29472, issued August 7, I860) for lanterns and Pratt (patent 

 166223, issued August 3, 1875) for candlesticks. Other por- 

 tions of the patent interfered with patents granted HoUis 

 (patent 180585, issued August 1, 1876) and Prefontaine 

 (patent 233163, issued October 12, 1880) for torches. 



38 



BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY .\ND TECHNOLOGY 



