The National Archives contains many archival gems. To share some of my favorites, I am starting a new feature for the blog, Patent of the Month.
Eye Protector for Chickens
Eye Protector for Chickens, Patent 730918, June 16, 1903. Records of the Patent and Trademark Office. National Archives and Records Administration (Page 2)
Eye Protector for Chickens, Patent 730918, June 16, 1903. Records of the Patent and Trademark Office. National Archives and Records Administration (Page 1)
Eye Protector for Chickens, Patent 730918, June 16, 1903. Records of the Patent and Trademark Office. National Archives and Records Administration (Page 3)
Pecking each other’s eyes out seems to be an inherent property of chickens, much to the dismay of the city dwellers who are now allowed to keep a few hens in the back yard for egg laying only.
This patent, along with a couple of others (a device to stop people standing on toilet seats, and a device to allow trains to pass one another on a single railway track!) formed part of one of the most memorable training courses I ever went on. Two technical and education colleges were merging to form a univesity, and managers went off for a somewhat eclectic training course, which I suspect was mainly a “getting to know you” exercise. Teams had to pick a patent and devise and present a marketing plan for the device. One of those days where you hurt laughing!
I remember seeing that and other inventions/patents when playing this game long time ago:
http://boardgamegeek.com/image/16794/the-inventors