Object Details
patentee
Francis, David
transfer
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
inventor
Francis, David
Description
David Francis from Birckenhead, Chester, England, first received a British patent for an improved desk and seat on June 27, 1873 and then received an American patent, no.155231, which was issued on September 22, 1874.
This model is a combination of black cast iron and wood. The cast iron has circular designs, while the seat and backrest are flat and create a 90-degree angle with no curves for body comfort. The desktop reads, "Lift the top to unlock it - Francis's patent." There is no lower back seat support because there is a gap between the backrest and seat. The seat itself has no curves for body comfort or support. There are also black tacks bolted from the wooden seat onto an iron-based support system. The backrest folds up towards the desktop. Francis advertised the full sized production version of this desk.
David Francis was born in Somerset, England ca 1830. He worked as a carpenter/joiner in England, and died in Kenilworth, England on July 9, 1902.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1874
patent date
1874-09-22
ID Number
CL.65.0345
catalog number
65.0345
accession number
249602
patent number
155,231
Object Name
school desk
model
desk model
Object Type
Patent Model
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 12 1/2 in x 11 1/2 in x 8 in; 31.75 cm x 29.21 cm x 20.32 cm
referenced in patent specifications
United Kingdom: England, Wirral, Birkenhead
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Education
American History Education Collection
Cultures & Communities
Patent Model School Seats and Desks
Data Source
National Museum of American History
general subject association
Education
classified
Patent Models
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_664155