Figure 6. — Sofa-bedstead designed by Benjamin Morris, January 17. 1835 (restored patent SBoSJoX). 



advance, the application of the metal frame to piano 

 construction, that caused the rash of inxention? The 

 answers may lie in the patent records. 



The patent drawings are no less provocative than 

 the applications in reflecting how people lived. One 

 is immediately curious about the popularity of com- 

 bination or convertible furniture, first appearing in 

 quantity in the 1830's." The drawings submitted by 

 Benjamin Morris of Richmond, Ohio, in 1835 for a 

 combination trunk, sofa, and bedstead provide an 



"Ibid., pp. 307-318. 



intriguing example (fig. 6). What stimulated the 

 building of this type of furniture? A host of inferences 

 spring to life. Had increased urbanization brought 

 crowded living quarters, thus making the combination 

 piece more suitable for persons of moderate income 

 and modest surroundings? Was it a reflection of a 

 people in motion, a solution in furniture design to 

 suit a society in flux? 



When Morris' drawings are related to their accom- 

 panying description, some of the questions are an- 

 swered. In addition, the value of both to the social 

 historian becomes clearer. In his patent specification 



116 



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



