Objects: NEW EXHIBITION: PATENT REPUBLIC
Object Name:
carbonizer
Inventory Number: L2009-1-0072
Alternate Numbers:
248,423: Patent Number
Classification: Patent Model
Inventor: Thomas A. Edison
2 items related to this constituent
Owner: U.S. Patent Office
77 items related to this constituent
Geography:
Place of Origin: Washington
Cultural Region: United States
Date: 1881
Material:
brass, wood
Description: This model consists of a rectangular box (representing an oven) in which a carbonizing flask is inserted. The latter is composed of two parts: the base with its numerous legs (like pegs on this model), which permits the heat from the carbonizer to circulate freely around the flask; a cover. On top of the base is arranged a series of plates containing the filaments to be carbonized.
The oven itself consists of a box around which are pipes with inlets connected to it. The first layer of pipes is for a combustible gas; the second is for pressurized air. A peep hole on top of the oven's cover is provided to observe the condition of the flask.
This carbonizer has been mounted on a base by the former owner of this model, Cliff Petersen.
Accessories: original U.S. Patent identification tags (2)
Signed: on plaque: EDISON
Provenance: Originally owned by the U.S. Patent Office.
Creditline: Susan M. E. Glendening is working toward establishing a museum as a permanent home for this model and her collection of over 250 patent models. The planned museum site is an 1844 federal house with a rich history, lush grounds, and a breath taking view of the Hudson River. If you are interested in becoming involved in protecting these models, please contact her at 845-534-9124 (cell: 845-656-4821). glendeningsusan@hotmail.com
Inventory Number: L2009-1-0072
Alternate Numbers:
248,423: Patent Number
Classification: Patent Model
Inventor: Thomas A. Edison
2 items related to this constituent
Owner: U.S. Patent Office
77 items related to this constituent
Geography:
Place of Origin: Washington
Cultural Region: United States
Date: 1881
Material:
brass, wood
Description: This model consists of a rectangular box (representing an oven) in which a carbonizing flask is inserted. The latter is composed of two parts: the base with its numerous legs (like pegs on this model), which permits the heat from the carbonizer to circulate freely around the flask; a cover. On top of the base is arranged a series of plates containing the filaments to be carbonized.
The oven itself consists of a box around which are pipes with inlets connected to it. The first layer of pipes is for a combustible gas; the second is for pressurized air. A peep hole on top of the oven's cover is provided to observe the condition of the flask.
This carbonizer has been mounted on a base by the former owner of this model, Cliff Petersen.
Accessories: original U.S. Patent identification tags (2)
Signed: on plaque: EDISON
Provenance: Originally owned by the U.S. Patent Office.
Creditline: Susan M. E. Glendening is working toward establishing a museum as a permanent home for this model and her collection of over 250 patent models. The planned museum site is an 1844 federal house with a rich history, lush grounds, and a breath taking view of the Hudson River. If you are interested in becoming involved in protecting these models, please contact her at 845-534-9124 (cell: 845-656-4821). glendeningsusan@hotmail.com
Function:
This model relates to the invention of a carbonizer for the production of electric-light carbon filaments. As Edison explained in other patents, the carbon used in his electric lamps is a simple filament bent into the form usually designated as "horseshoe". It is essential that the carbon should be uniform in size to insure equality of resistance and radiation surface, and that they should be carbonized equally and evenly through their mass, and in such way as to preserve their shape free from warping or twisting. The object of this invention is to furnish means for carbonization which will insure convenience of operation, economy, and equal carbonization.
For a complete description of this invention, go to the following website.
Dimensions (H x W x D):
15 x 21 x 17 cm (5 7/8 x 8 1/4 x 6 11/16 in.)
mounted: 21 x 30.5 x 24 cm (8 1/4 x 12 x 9 7/16 in.)
Curatorial Remarks: Thomas Edison is undoubtedly most widely known for his invention of the light bulb but this patent, and a host of others, provided the concrete basis for his light bulb and allowed for the widespread use of that technology. Edison did face a series of intense court cases where his patent for the light bulb was challenged but ultimately he won those cases and is today credited with inventing the incandescent light bulb. Unlike Elisha Gray, who was discredited of inventing the telephone, Edison was able to successfully defend his patents. It is unclear if the models of Edison's inventions played any role in the litigation of these court cases but it is at least conceivable that these patents could have been employed in the courtroom. Edison assigned this patent directly to the Edison Light Company of New York upon receiving it so that the company could immediately begin to manufacture lights for their projects. Edison died with over one thousand patents to his credit. The Carbonizer is not his most famous patent but it is most certainly tied directly to his quest to make incandescent light bulbs a feature of the American city.
(This information was found by Pierce Tria, member of the Patent Model Exhibition project.)
Related Works: Charles Bazerman, The Languages of Edison's Light (Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1999), 47-84.
Billington and Billington Jr., Power, Speed and Form (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006), 13-34.
For a complete description of this invention, go to the following website.
Dimensions (H x W x D):
15 x 21 x 17 cm (5 7/8 x 8 1/4 x 6 11/16 in.)
mounted: 21 x 30.5 x 24 cm (8 1/4 x 12 x 9 7/16 in.)
Curatorial Remarks: Thomas Edison is undoubtedly most widely known for his invention of the light bulb but this patent, and a host of others, provided the concrete basis for his light bulb and allowed for the widespread use of that technology. Edison did face a series of intense court cases where his patent for the light bulb was challenged but ultimately he won those cases and is today credited with inventing the incandescent light bulb. Unlike Elisha Gray, who was discredited of inventing the telephone, Edison was able to successfully defend his patents. It is unclear if the models of Edison's inventions played any role in the litigation of these court cases but it is at least conceivable that these patents could have been employed in the courtroom. Edison assigned this patent directly to the Edison Light Company of New York upon receiving it so that the company could immediately begin to manufacture lights for their projects. Edison died with over one thousand patents to his credit. The Carbonizer is not his most famous patent but it is most certainly tied directly to his quest to make incandescent light bulbs a feature of the American city.
(This information was found by Pierce Tria, member of the Patent Model Exhibition project.)
Related Works: Charles Bazerman, The Languages of Edison's Light (Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1999), 47-84.
Billington and Billington Jr., Power, Speed and Form (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006), 13-34.