Mechanical Grinder
Maker and role
Sybilla Righton Masters (d.1720), Patentee
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Object detail
Media/Materials
Wood, steel, bronze
Measurements
6 x 8 x 3 3/4" (15.2 x 20.3 x 9.5cm)
Description
Before the creation of the U.S. patent system in 1790, some American colonists went to Europe to record their inventions. The very first patent granted to a resident of the colonies was British Patent #401 to Thomas Masters of Pennsylvania in 1715. It was identified as "A new invention found out by Sybilla, his Wife, for Cleaning and Curing the Indian Corn Growing in the several Colonies of America."
This artifact may be a patent model and shows how Sybilla Masters' inventions differed from tradition milling devices.
This artifact may be a patent model and shows how Sybilla Masters' inventions differed from tradition milling devices.
Object number
2006.12.10
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Maker
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