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Abraham Lincoln's Patent Model

National Museum of American History

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Object Details

patentee
Lincoln, Abraham
Lincoln, Abraham
Description
Like many people of his era, Lincoln believed deeply in the value of personal initiative, inventiveness, and scientific and technological change. Lincoln’s mechanical and scientific interests began with his training as a surveyor in New Salem and continued throughout his life.
In 1848 he decided try his own hand at developing an invention to lift boats grounded in shallow water. On May 22, 1849, Congressman Abraham Lincoln received a patent for his method of lifting boats over shoals. A trip to Niagara Falls inspired the design, when he witnessed a grounded boat being lifted over shallow waters. Lincoln produced the model with the help of Walter Davis, a Springfield mechanic. There is no evidence that he ever sought to put the idea into production.
Transfer from the U.S. Patent Office, 1922
prior to 1849
date patented
1849-05-22
ID Number
PL.031940
catalog number
31940
accession number
48865
patent number
6469
Object Name
patent model
Object Type
Patent Model
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
brown (overall color)
fabric (part material)
Measurements
overall: 9 3/4 in x 26 1/4 in x 4 3/4 in; 24.765 cm x 66.675 cm x 12.065 cm
place made
United States: Illinois
Related Publication
Rubenstein, Harry R.. Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
See more items in
Political and Military History: Political History, Presidential History Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
Transportation
Exhibition
Hall of American Maritime Enterprise (foam core box: 4107, QU41 (top))
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
subject
Patent Models
Record ID
nmah_213141
Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a0-e40b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Abraham Lincoln

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