Tag Archives: patents

January 24, 1922

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Joel Byers

On January 24, 1922, Christian K. Nelson patented the wonderful ice cream treat, the Eskimo Pie. The polar bears of Alaska and Canada were extremely disappointed to learn that it was vanilla ice cream encased in a frozen chocolate shell. The… Continue reading →

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November 15, 1904

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Joel Byers

On November 15, 1904, King C. Gillette patented the Gillette razor blade. Men and women still use the disposable razor blades today. Nothing twisted about this post except FOR HIS NAME! Somebody’s momma named their baby… Continue reading →

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June 4, 1850

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Joel Byers

On June 4, 1850, self-deodorizing fertilizer was patented in England. So it no longer smelled like poo. It smelled like fancy poo. Americans and Australians immediately rejected the idea of fancy smelling poo. It was just too… Continue reading →

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May 5, 1809

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Joel Byers

On May 5, 1809, Mary Kies of Connecticut was the first American woman to be issued a patent. It was for the technique she came up with for weaving straw with silk and thread to make hats. Johann Fischart Rumpelstiltskin of Gnomes, Gnomes, and Elves of Austria immediately sent notice to Mrs. Kies that she … Continue reading →

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March 20, 1885

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Joel Byers

On March 20, 1885, Jan Matzeliger of Lynn, Massachusetts patented the shoe lacing machine. He’d previously patented a machine that manufactured shoes, putting thousands of gnomes out of business. When Quamorra Leathertack of the International Brotherhood of Gnomist Machinists and Leatherworkers was informed of the shoe lacing machine, he lost it. He was quoted as … Continue reading →

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December 12, 1955

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Joel Byers

On December 12, 1955, British engineer Christopher Cockerell patented the first hovercraft. It is not true that he named the first hovercraft “A Légpárnásom Tele Van Angolnákkal”.

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September 7, 1915

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Joel Byers

On September 7, 1915, toymaker Johnny Gruelle patented the Raggedy Ann doll. When he was asked why he created such a soft and friendly doll, he said it was because the china-head dolls were just creepy and prone to becoming haunted. He said that could never happen with his Raggedy Ann dolls. But he was … Continue reading →

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August 21, 1841

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Joel Byers

On August 21, 1841, the first US patent for a venetian blind was issued to John Hampson of New Orleans, Louisiana, thereby making it much easier to spy on the antics of your neighbors from the comfort of your own living room. Before the venetian blind, if you wanted to watch your neighbors argue and … Continue reading →

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August 13, 1889

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Joel Byers

On August 13, 1889, William Gray of Connecticut was issued a patent for a coin-operated telephone. For teenagers today, a payphone was a telephone in a public place where you could put coins in it to call your mom or dad to come and get you. Contrary to common knowledge, there are still some payphones … Continue reading →

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August 11, 1874

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Joel Byers

On August 11, 1874, Harry S. Parmelee received a patent for the sprinkler head and started Americans on the path to getting showers instead of baths. Twenty-five years later, Dr. Harvey Kellogg denounced the detachable shower-head and pronounced that it was only suitable for the single-sex male bathrooms, as it could lead to unhealthy habits … Continue reading →

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