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The Rothschild Petersen Patent
Model Museum currently has exhibits on loan at the Federal Reserve Bank of
Boston and at Disneyland Paris.
There are 65 patent models on
exhibit in the Adventure Gallery at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston,
www.economicadventure.org. On display through the end of 2004, the
exhibit was carefully chosen to complement the economic concepts and themes
presented in the permanent exhibit, the New England Economic Adventure.
The exhibit of fifty models at
Disneyland Paris, www.disneylandparis.com,
is located at the Discovery Arcade on the Main Street. Also known as
EuroDisney, Disneyland Paris is France's version of the famous American theme
park.
Selected models from the collection
have also been displayed in past exhibits at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design
Museum, ndm.si.edu, in New York City, the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, www.uspto.gov,
the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology(MOST) and Onondaga
Community College, both in Syracuse, New York.
Both current exhibits feature
United States patent models from the collection of Cazenovia, New York
resident, Alan Rothschild. Fascinating and educational, the displays are geared
to appeal to the inventive thinking within all of us. At each exhibit a wide
range of models-some unusual, some practical, and many launching some of
today's largest industries-teaches the importance of U. S. history, science and
technology.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
On exhibit since October 2003 until the end of 2004, the Federal Reserve Bank
of Boston has sixty five patent models on display.
Some of the models in this exhibit include:
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An 1879 velocipede (Patent # 211,959), invented by Edwin J. Blood of Mukwonago,
Wisconsin.
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Patent # 169,935 by Stephen F. Whitman, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a
Machine for Casting Confectionery from November 1875. Whitman was the founder
of the Whitman Candy Company.
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Elisha Gray of Cleveland, Ohio received Patent # 76,748 on April 14,1868, for
an Improvement in Telegraph Apparatus. Gray got to the Patent Office four hours
after Alexander Graham Bell.
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Patent # 16,296 for a Meledeon by G.O. Spence of Elmira, New York, dated
December 23, 1856.
Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney)
Disneyland Paris displays fifty models from the Rothschild Petersen Patent
Model Museum. These models were originally destined for Florida's Walt Disney
World, but when the European branch opened in 1992, Disney opted to display the
models there instead. Some of the most notable items displayed at Disneyland
Paris include:
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Patent No. 92,808 - An 1869 Water Velocipede, by inventor David J. Farmer of
Wheeling, West Virginia. Despite its name, the device was designed to be
operated on water or land.
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Patent No. 106,790 - An 1870 Musical Rocking Chair, by Clayton Denn of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The rockers operate a bellows, forcing air through
reeds on each side of the chair. The reeds are covered by valves, which in turn
are controlled by knobs. A person seated in the chair could play a tune simply
by rocking and operating the valve knobs. This model was exhibited in 1984 at
the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in
New York City. (see picture)
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Patent No. 70,723 - 1867 Corn Poppers by inventor E.G. Kinsley. The clever
design eliminates the burning of popped corn, via an internal wire mesh screen
with large holes. Turning the popper over and shaking it traps already-popped
corn above the screen, and allows remaining kernels to fall through the holes
and continue popping. The popper also features a gadget built into the handle,
for emptying the popped corn without burning one's fingers.
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Patent No. 89,712 - An 1869 Method of Constructing Screw Propellers, by
Henrietta Vansittart of Richmond, Surrey County, England. A rare example of a
patent model by a female inventor, the propellor enabled ships to travel faster
on less fuel, reduced vibration
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and improved reverse steering. Vansittart secured both American and European
patents for her invention, and won medals in exhibitions as far away as
Australia.
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Patent No. 49,436 - An 1865 Washing Machine by Pike Mason of North Leverett,
Massachusetts. Made of wood, with brass castings for the flywheels, bearings,
and pulleys, this model is designed to wash clothes via "gyratory
beaters." (see picture)
Qualified organizations interested in arranging a loaned exhibit may contact
Alan Rothschild by e-mail at museum@patentmodel.org.
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Copyright © 2001 Alan Rothschild. All rights
reserved.
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