An
improvement in the construction of a
Carriage to be propelled by the mechanical powers - 1794
U.S.
Patent issued to John J. Staples (25 April 1794)
John Staples, Jr. (born c. 1768) was granted letters patent signed by
George Washington dated 25 April 1794, for what the inventor described
as "An improvement in the construction of a Carriage to be propelled by
the mechanical powers."
Although all records of the U.S. Patent
Office were destroyed when the building burned on 15 Dec 1836, details
of this invention remain printed on page 67 in the 18 Nov 1848 issue of
Scientific American. The magazine editor stated that "This
patent is for a Locomotive, but not a steam one, and in comparison with
the mode in which specifications have now to be made out, it presents a
very great contrast." The magazine reprinted the full details of the
patent:
The Schedule referred to in these
Letters Patent, and making part of the same, containing a description
in the words of the said John J. Staples, Junior, himself of an
improvement in the construction of a Carriage to be propelled by the
mechanical powers.
General description of a travelling
Carriage, which is to move without the power of horses, carrying from 2
to 4 persons, requiring the labor of one of which to regulate its
movement—wilI ascend any hill that is accessible to common
carriages, moving with great rapidity, and as in every respect as
manageable as those drawn by horses, its velocity being increased or
lessened at pleasure by the application of the five following powers as
occasion may require. The first power, which is the greatest, is the
weight of the whole carriage with whatever is contained therein, which
is raised up by the oval wheels in turning round, and when descending
acts on the shortest lever. 2d Power is the weight of the top frame
which supports the carriage body with its contents, which being
likewise wound up by the said oval wheels at the same or a different
time acts in descending on the two next size levers and is the next
greatest power. 3d Power is the carriage body which being fixed on 4
friction rollers vibrates as a pendulum acting on the two longest
levers. 4th. Is the weight of the person who regulates the motion
acting likewise on the ends of the said 2 long levers and is the first
motion the carriage receives. 5th. Is an occasional power which is
gained when descending a hill by winding up two springs placed under
the carriage which also acts with great force on the ends of the
aforesaid two long levers when rising a hill.
JNO. J. STAPLES, JR.
Witnesses—
SAM’L.
FOLWELL,
GEO.
TAYLOR.
The magazine also printed the
text of the Letters Patent as signed by George Washington:
THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.
To all to whom these Letters Patent
shall come
Whereas
John J. Staples, Junior, a citizen of the State of New York, in the
United States, has alleged that he has invented a new and useful
improvement in the construction of a Carriage to be propelled by the
mechanical Powers, which improvement has not been known or used before
his application; has made oath that he does verily believe that he is
the true inventor and discoverer of the said improvement; has paid into
the Treasury of the United States the sum of thirty dollars, delivered
a receipt for the same and presented a petition to the Secretary of
State, signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in the
said improvement, and praying that a patent may be granted for that
purpose: These are therefore to grant, according to law, to the said
John J. Staples, Junior, his heirs, administrators or assigns, for the
term of fourteen years, from the twenty second day of the present month
of April, exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using,
and vending to others to be used the said improvement, a description
whereof is given in the words of the said John J. Staples, Junior
himself, in the schedule hereunto annexed, and is made a part of these
presents.
IN TESTIMONY
WHEREOF, I have caused these Letters to be made Patent,
and the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed.
Given
under my hand, at the City of Philadelphia, this twenty-fifth day of
April, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety
four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the
eighteenth.
Go.
WASHINGTON.
By the President, EDM.
RANDOLPH.
City, of Philadelphia,
TO WIT:
I
DO HEREBY CERTIFY: That the foregoing Letters Patent,
were delivered to
me on the 25th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety four, to be examined; that I have examined the same
and find them conformable to law. And I do hereby return the same to
the Secretary of State within fifteen days from the date aforesaid, to
wit : On the same 25th day of April in the year aforesaid. WM.
BRADFORD.
John J Staples, Jr. acquired at least eight patents in the period 1794
and 1824:
- 25 Apr 1794 -
Carriage to be propelled by the Mechanical Powers.
- 15 Dec 1802 - Stills
- 18 Mar 1803 -
Submarine Passage or Hollow Inverted Arch
- 18 Mar 1803 - Power
From Rising and Falling of Tide to Run Machinery
- 17 Feb 1804 -
Wheels for Various Purposes
- 18 Jul 1811 -
Pendulum Steam Engine
- 10 May 1813 -
Machine for Drawing Wire
- 15 Dec 1824 -
Making Moccasins, Shoes, etc., in Moulds
The patent information
was published by the Scientific American of 18 November 1848 (Vol
4 old series, No 9, Page
67) as part of a tribute to John J. Staples in recognition of his
accomplishments:
An
Old Patent and an Old Inventor.
The inventor who has received a patent
subscribed with the handwriting of Washington, must feel proud indeed
in the possession of such an instrument. Such a man is John J. Staples
of the city of New York, who is the oldest living inventor holding a
patent in the United States, and perhaps the oldest living patentee in
the world. We publish the following patent from respect to the memory
of the departed great, and the worth and genius of the honored living.
Many of our readers will esteem this great curiosity and valuable
relic, and will desire to know something of the inventor himself, whose
inventions are associated with the name of "the Father of his Country."
Mr. Staples is now about 80 years of age and his head is whitened with
the snows of many winters. His eye is still bright and his mental
faculties clear. His step to be sure is less firm than of yore but his
body is still erect and stately. Mr. Staples is an inventor who has had
the honor of securing a patent from every President of the United
States, except the lamented Harrison. He has a patent which we have
seen, given under the handwriting of President Thomas Jefferson, for a
Tidal Wheel to propel machinery, and the first invented in the United
States.