Discovering History through Invention™

Toledo, OH
Joined April 2020
On this day (January 9) in 1883, U.S. Patent No. 270,225 issued to Albert H. Kennedy of Rockport, Indiana for a Geometrical Block. Let's dig in to learn the angles on some interesting education history! 📏 📐 🎒 🎓 #patents #history patents.google.com/patent/US…
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This page from @Purdue University has some wonderful pictures of old sets of Kennedy blocks, and even includes a photo of Kennedy himself, with his blocks! #purdue
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Maybe these two U.S. patents explain the interest in Greenland, both of which issued to Henry Pemberton of Alleghany, Pennsylvania 1️⃣ U.S. Patent No. 53,865, which issued on April 10, 1866 2️⃣ U.S. Patent No. 64,250, which issued on April 30, 1867 🪨 📜 🤔 #patents #history
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The '250 patent describes the use of cryolite in the making of soap, and describes it as "found only in Greenland." buff.ly/3PvwYHP
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I can't uncover any evidence of success for Mr. Pemberton's cryolite soaps, and it seems that commercial extraction of the mineral ceased in the '80s or '90s. So, perhaps cryolite is not the answer. The search continues! 🔎 🤔
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On this day (January 7) in 1873, U.S. Patent No. 134,679 issued to Dr. Rudolph Knaffl of Nashville, Tennessee for an Improvement in Guitars. His invention does not appear to have been a hit. His son, though, did make it big...in photography. 🎸 📸 #patents #history
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And, if you're ever in downtown Knoxville, be sure to visit the historical marker that honors Joseph Knaffl himself and the Knaffl Madonna. buff.ly/40xa49r
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And one last thing - while the Knaffl Madonna is in the public domain and you're free to use it as you wish, you can also buy prints and cards directly from the son of Josephine (the baby in the picture), who is Dr. Knaffl's great-grandson, here: buff.ly/429Ecsi
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