i^lf-J 



EXCAVTOR. 



PATK.vTi-Ji} lez-e. >n,.,-. 





J . CO S C OS. 



I'KOI'KltrrOK K III II.Dfll. 



TROY. NY 



Figure 39. — Excavator invented by Daniel Carmichael and Jason C. Osgood of New York. Patent 4547, May 30, if 



every yiossibility, this very willingness by Hays to 

 achieve a flexible solution is perhaps one of the period's 

 outstanding characteristics. 



The patentees of beds and chairs seem a dull lot 

 compared to innovators like Thomas Boynton of 

 Windsor, Vermont, who, in 1832, requested and 

 received a patent for "Elastic Stamp Painting" 

 (fig. 44), an "improvement in the mode of ornament- 

 ing the walls and floors of rooms and, various other 

 things." His patent specification provides instructions 

 for multicolored motifs easily applied, everything from 

 "variegated ornaments" to "stripes, flowers, etc. 

 of various colours"' to be combined "in any manner 

 your taste may dictate." 



If Boynton fails to stimulate interest, perhaps 

 Dr. J. Wright Warren's portable bath tent (fig. 45) 

 will. Here was a creation that combined "in one 

 arrangement all the conveniences for taking all the 

 several descriptions of baths, such as warm, cold. 

 vapours, medicated vapour, and shower baths,'" 

 and it was planned with all "due regard to simplicity 



and portability." What could be more apt for 1840 

 than the good Boston doctor's reminder that the tub"s 

 exterior curtain should be crimson-colored in order "to 

 add neatness and elegance to utility" and to make it 

 entirely "suitable as an article of household furniture." 

 Costume is not neglected, nor are costume acces- 

 sories such as hats, shoes, and underpinnings. In 

 James H. Chappell's geometrical pattern book (fig. 

 46), "A Map of Spheres and Right Lines," appears a 

 "Coat, Great Coat, and Vest, pantaloons, garters, 

 Cloak, Frock, shirt collars and lappels, and a lady"s 

 habit, all of which are formed by right lines and 

 spheres as the printed explanations fully show." 

 Nor, as can be observed in the drawing, does Chappell 

 neglect the militia uniform at a time when such garb 

 was often a social requirement. Buttons, combs, 

 hats, tailor's shears, and umbrellas as well as 

 measuring devices were patented. Some patents, 

 like Hiram Seger"s tailor's square, included drawings 

 of costumed figures, and thus are particularly 

 valuable (fig. 47). 



PAPER 48: UNITED STATES PATENTS NEW USES FOR OLD IDEAS 



139 



