“Distributing captured clothing to the needy”
When Union troops captured the Confederate city of New Berne, North Carolina, on March 14, 1862, they also took over a large amount of clothing stockpiled there. This...
Diving dress
In 1810, Chauncey Hall submitted this drawing in support of his patent application for a diving dress. He received a patent on December 24, 1810.
Documenting the West
Benedicte Wrensted photographed these Southeastern Idaho Native Americans. Wrensted was a professional photographer in Denmark before she immigrated to the United...
Gerald Ford, Jr.
This 1918 photograph shows Gerald R. Ford, Jr., who grew up to become the 38th President of the United States. Ford was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He wears a...
“Hat to Prevent Drowning”
Samuel W. White's invention, submitted in 1840, was intended to prevent people from drowning. In his application, he claims that the hat or bonnet is buoyant, and the...
Hook and eye
On January 6, 1903, Christian Andresen, of St. Louis, Missouri, submitted a patent application for his hook and eye invention. In his application, he states, “my...
Improved boot
William A. Deitz of Albany, New York, submitted his patent application for an improved boot. In his application of 1867, he states that opening the boot in the back,...