The Patent Archive
Ten archives of interesting American patents, organized by the objects people collect.
Counterfeit Coin Detectors
Every device patented to catch a bad coin · 1853–1960
Apple Parers
The cast-iron ingenuity of the American kitchen · 1853–1950
Duck & Game Calls
Patents that talked to the birds · 1840–1960
Padlocks
A century of keeping things shut · 1839–1939
Beehives & Bee Equipment
The patented pursuit of the perfect hive · 1838–
Antique Wrenches
Every grip the 19th century took on a nut · 1839–1899
Fountain Pens
The instruments that put ink under pressure · 1838–1919
Fishing Reels
The mechanical heart of American angling · 1852–1919
Talking Machines
Phonographs & music boxes · 1849–1919
And The World Did Not Beat A Path To His Door
4,400 mousetrap patents. Twenty made money. This is about the others.