IOWA FARMERS HELPED FEED THE PATENT FRENZY DURING THE GOLDEN ERA OF INVENTION

IOWA FARMERS HELPED FEED THE PATENT FRENZY DURING THE GOLDEN ERA OF INVENTION

Iowans are problem solvers who helped shape the efficiency and productivity of American agriculture.

One of the most groundbreaking inventions by an Iowan was the gasoline-powered tractor which was patented in 1892 by feed mill operator John Froelich of Clayton County. His Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company eventually became John Deere Tractor Works. It was the beginning of an unprecedented transformation of the primary power source in soil preparation, planting and harvesting.

In 1911, Charles L. Dyk, Orange City, patented a manure spreader. Partial description: "The object of my invention is to provide a manure spreader of this class with simple, inexpensive and durable means whereby the operator may readily and easily adjust the device to the conditions required when handling material of different kinds; and also to enable the operator to regulate the thickness of manure delivered from the machine."

In 1910, Abraham Van Roekel, Orange City, patented a corn-drying rack. Partial text from the patent description: "The object of my invention is to provide a corn drying rack which is exceedingly simple in construction and which is supported on legs so that the corn is beyond the reach of such destructive pests as rates and mice.

The movement of power from horses and mules to fossil-fuel-powered tractors was a remarkable leap forward in farming. On a smaller scale, farmers have always toyed and tinkered using their hands-on knowledge and practical skills to create a wide variety of engineering and science-based inventions. Farmers’ desire to improve efficiencies as a method of sustaining the viability of their farms was a large part of the Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Golden Age of Invention, lasting from about 1870 to 1914. Other scholars identify the era as lasting until 1940.

During this era, inventions were produced at 10 times the rate of the previous 70 years, helping make the United States an innovation powerhouse and world leader in technology. Innovative thinking and inventing, supported by a robust patent system, helped the U.S. become the cultural and commercial power that it is today.

190 Patents From Sioux County

From 1880 to 1939, at least 190 patents were issued to Sioux County residents. Inventions ranged from a paring knife, rail crossing signal, cigar rest and envelope moistener to a voting machine, lace curtain stretcher, violin tail piece and fly trap. Hawarden and Calliope accounted for the most patents, with 58 in those years. The first patent issued to a Sioux County inventor appears to be for a grate bar for fire engines (Robert Rose, Calliope, 1880). Inventors with the most patents were:

• Joseph Eulberg of Alton. Horse collar (1906); wheel and demount able rim (1916); and exhaust heater for vehicles (1926).

• Frank L. Doty of Calliope. Hay loader/stacker and rope clamp (1903) and apparatus for loading and hay stacker (1904).

In 1916, Johannes Nielsen, Chatsworth, patented improvements to a corn-harrow. Partial description: “The principle object of the invention is to improve and simplify the general construction of devices of this character. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of frame for carrying the harrow teeth.”

In 1916, Johannes Nielsen, Chatsworth, patented improvements to a corn-harrow. Partial description: “The principle object of the invention is to improve and simplify the general construction of devices of this character. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of frame for carrying the harrow teeth.”

In 1915, Sigurd B. Christensen, Granville, patented improvements to planters. Partial description: “One object of the present invention is to improve the construction of the marker so that it may ride over stones or other unyielding obstructions encountered over the field.”

• Joseph H. Oberman of Granville. Three patents for pumps and one for a pump operating mechanism in 1924.

• Luther T. Kenny of Hawarden. Molding machine (1912); concrete molding machine (1914); fastener for sliding doors (1917); and swinging car door and hanger (1918).

• Charles L. Dyk of Orange City. Two patents for manure spreaders in 1908 and one in 1912.

• Arie Kleinhesslink of Orange City. Bracket for current conducting wires (1912); binding post (1924); and tent stake (1925).

• Lammert Van Olst of Orange City. Gate latch mechanism (1898); churn and rocking churn (1903).

• John Huizenga of Rock Valley. Protectograph in 1908 and patents for check protectors in 1915 and 1923.

• Frank Vogelzang of Rock Valley. Device or tool for tightening fence wires (1904); liquid fuel lock device (1919); flying machine (1920); and dental instrument (1921).

The vast majority of the patented inventions or product improvements from Sioux County were for agricultural machinery and tools. The list of ag-related patents in this era touched on every area of farming: Stock watering trough, hog oiler, windmill, seed corn tester, manure hook, wire stretcher, egg separator, corn planter, disk sharpener, hog holder, tank heater, and many more. Example schematics from patent applications for a few of these inventions are pictured here.

Tenacity And Creativity

From the late 1800s to World War II, American farmers battled locusts and drought and high rail costs and a tight money supply and many other challenges. Necessity was truly the mother of invention. Even with the deck often stacked against them, their tenacity and creative minds provided a path to survival and an example to future generations.

When the United States was founded, 90 percent of the population was engaged in farming or a related field. Today, less than 2 percent of the population feeds the other 98 percent – an impossible feat without mechanization and technological advancements.

In 1913, Luther T. Kenny, Hawarden, invented and patented improvements in concrete molding machines. Partial text description: “The primary object of this invention is to provide a machine for the rapid and economical manufacture of cement or concrete blocks used in the construction of silos, cisterns, water tanks, etc. Figure 1 (embodies) my improvements, the top of the mold box swung open.”

• Senator Charles Grassley. bit.ly/47ZDajo Wikipedia. bit.ly/3swL4R6, bit.ly/3YQG0mp

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In 1915, Sigurd B. Christensen, Granville, patented improvements to planters. Partial description: “One object of the present invention is to improve the construction of the marker so that it may ride over stones or other unyielding obstructions encountered over the field.”

In 1914, Burton Walrath, Rock Valley, invented and patented improvements to the gear-shifting mechanism of motor-driven vehicles. Partial description: “(The) object is the production of improved means whereby a gear may be selected while another gear is in operative relation with the main shaft and the former subsequently placed in operative position.”

Editor’s note

For a list of other inventions patented by Sioux County residents between 1880-1939, see the iagen.web.org link in the source list below. Copy the patent number and paste into the Patent Public Search Site link listed below. For patent numbers of less than 7 digits, add a “0” at the beginning.

Sources

• www.iagenweb.org/sioux/invent.htm

• Patent Public Search. bit.ly/3soJJLX

• USDA Economic Research Service. bit.ly/45qMxqD