We all recognize Mark Twain as being a well-known American author who is responsible for classic books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But, did you know that Mark Twain also was a patent holder?

Believe it or not, aside from being a famous author, he was an inventor and, in his lifetime, received a total of three patents. On this day in 1871, Mark Twain received patent #121,992 for an ‘Improvement in Adjustable and Detachable Straps for Garments.’

The first of Twain’s three patents was received while he was living in Hartford, Connecticut. His first patent was for an adjustable strap that could be used to tighten shirts at the waist. This adjustable strap was attached to the back of a shirt and fastened with buttons in order to keep it in place and so that it was easy to remove.

Twain’s patent was issued because he wanted to invent a “Better Way” to eliminate suspenders, which he found to be very uncomfortable. His invention was not only intended for shirts; in fact, it also could be used for underpants and women’s corsets.

In addition to his patent for an alternative to suspenders, Twain also received a patent for a self-pasting scrapbook in 1873. Throughout his life, Twain created and kept scrapbooks, filling them with souvenirs, pictures, articles and much more. However, he grew increasingly tired of losing the glue and rock-hard paste. So, rather than stopping what he loved to do, Twain found a ‘Better Way’ to scrapbook when he patented his “self-pasting” scrapbook. This invention, in particular, was very popular and sold over 25, 000 copies.

But Twain’s patent train didn’t stop there; because, in 1885, he received a patent for ‘Memory-Builder,’ a game board that was aimed at developing memory for dates and facts. And, with no surprise, the game and its instructions were written by Twain. That last sentence was filled with sarcasm. Nonetheless, the game and the instructions were glued on the top front and back of the game board and came with a package of different-colored straight pins. In 1891, several models were tested in the market, but they failed to catch the attention of the public.

Even though Twain didn’t find success in his trivia game, he still had a strong belief in the value of the patent system. In fact, in his book, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, he mentioned the patent office: “…for I know that a country without a patent office and good patent laws was just a crab and couldn’t travel anyway but sideways and backwards.”

With success comes failures and, just like any successful invention, an element of uncertainty and adventure are stepping stones in the invention process. For Mark Twain, he started out as a famous writer, but made the transition into the world of patents and inventions. Twain’s journey further proves that inventors come in all shapes and sizes and from different backgrounds; and, in the end, if you believe in your idea, you can chase your dreams of bringing your invention to life.

Copyright Davison 2013

Sources:

http://www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2001/01-61.jsp

http://classiclit.about.com/od/marktwainfaqs/f/faq_mtwain_inve.htm

http://www.pbs.org/marktwain/scrapbook/

http://www.twainquotes.com/MemoryGame.html

Images:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Mark_Twain%2C_Brady-Handy_photo_portrait%2C_Feb_7%2C_1871%2C_cropped.jpg

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/11/celebrity-invention-mark-twains-scrapbook/66490/

http://www.twainquotes.com/MemoryGame.html

http://todayinsci.com/Events/Patent/GarmentStraps121992.htm

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From that point on, many versions of the washing machine were released in Europe and, in 1782, Henry Sidgier released a British patent for a rotating drum washer.  Following this release, in the 1790s, Edward Beetham sold numerous “patent washing mills” in England.

However, the first United States patent for “Clothes Washing” was given to Nathaniel Briggs of New Hampshire in 1797. Unfortunately, due to the Patent Office fire in 1836, a description of the device does not exist.

Inventors and companies alike began filing patents for their washing machine ideas and, in 1908, a man by the name of Lou Upton obtained his first patent for an idea that would really cause the washing machine industry to “whirl.”

In 1908, Upton invested his savings in a business venture for manufacturing equipment. When that company failed to thrive, Upton was offered the opportunity to select something of value from the failed venture as a return on his investment. When given this choice, Upton chose the patents on a hand washing machine, which he believed might be electrified.

After receiving the patents, Upton returned home to St. Joseph, Michigan, and in 1911, joined his uncle, Emory, and brother, Fred, to invent motor-driven wringer washers. Together, they formed the Upton Machine Company.

By 1916, Sears, Roebuck & Co. began selling Upton-manufactured machines under the “Allen” brand; the deluxe model was being sold for $95. Thirteen years later, Upton merged with the Nineteen Hundred Washer Company of Binghamton, New York, and took the name, Nineteen Hundred Corporation.

As time went on, World War II stifled washer production as factories were modified to provide mechanisms for the P-40 Warhawk aircrafts and military equipment.  By the summer of 1945, the production of washers resumed and began a rapid growth that would take the company from a small manufacturer of washers to a full-scale manufacturer of major home appliances.

In 1949, the company adopted the name that we know today, the Whirlpool Corporation.

Most recently, the Whirlpool Corporation filed a patent on January 24, 2013 for an apparatus and method for controlling the laundering cycle by sensing wash aid concentration. This patent was filed in order to safeguard Whirlpool’s idea for an automatic washing machine that can be operated in accordance with a selected wash cycle. This is done by determining a concentration of a wash aid prior to the dispensing of the wash aid into the machine and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.

The Whirlpool Corporation continues to file patents for their technologies that maintain the company’s vision, “Every home…Everywhere…With Pride, Passion and Performance.” Staying aligned with that vision, the corporation continues to invent innovative products for consumers.

Copyright Davison 2013

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing_machine

http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/about/history.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlpool_Corporation

http://www.appliancemagazine.com/editorial.php?article=158

http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/100/includes/documents/factsheet.pdf

https://www.google.com/patents/US20130119082?dq=whirlpool+washing+machine+2013&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4H0mUtPrDuessQSxq4HoCQ&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAQ

Pictures:

http://lewiswalpole.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/beethams-royal-patent-washing-mill-no-27-fleet-street-london/

http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2012/02/13/wait-kate-uptons-great-grandfather-invented-the-washing-machine/

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/US20130119082A1/US20130119082A1-20130516-D00005.png

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