top of page

IMM Artists and Inventors Database

An interactive catalogue of African American inventions, 1865–1939, from which IMM artists select an invention to research and reinterpret.

An interactive catalogue of African American inventions, 1865–1939, from which IMM artists select an invention to research and reinterpret.

IMM Artists and Inventors Database

Patent drawing for Mechanical Book by William H. Robinson, U.S. Patent 1,090,502, granted 1914-03-17.

William H. Robinson

Mechanical Book

1913-04-12

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Envelope Moistener by James M. Brooks, U.S. Patent 1,092,688, granted 1914-04-07.

James M. Brooks

Envelope Moistener

1913-08-04

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Carpet Cutting Machine by Edgar H. May, U.S. Patent 1,096,733, granted 1914-05-12.

Edgar H. May

Carpet Cutting Machine

1913-09-23

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Server for Automatic Serving Systems by James Doyle, U.S. Patent 1,098,788, granted 1914-06-02.

James Doyle

Server for Automatic Serving Systems

1912-12-12

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Valve and Plug Cock by Elijah McCoy, U.S. Patent 1,101,868, granted 1914-06-30.

Elijah McCoy

Valve and Plug Cock

1912-09-24

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Safety Streetcar Fender by Vance J. Anderson, U.S. Patent 1,102,563, granted 1914-07-07.

Vance J. Anderson

Safety Streetcar Fender

1913-01-09

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Button Making Machine by Boston Clay, U.S. Patent 1,105,757, granted 1914-08-04.

Boston Clay

Button Making Machine

1914-02-11

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Lubricator by Elijah McCoy, U.S. Patent 1,109,775, granted 1914-09-08.

Elijah McCoy

Lubricator

1906-06-02

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Flying Machine by John E. McWorter, U.S. Patent 1,114,167, granted 1914-10-20.

John E. McWorter

Flying Machine

1913-05-09

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Pipe Cutter by Willie H. Johnson, U.S. Patent 1,118,349, granted 1914-11-24.

Willie H. Johnson

Pipe Cutter

1914-04-16

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Recording Attachment for Piano by Samuel L. Dickinson, U.S. Patent 1,126,724, granted 1915-02-02.

Samuel L. Dickinson

Recording Attachment for Piano

1912-01-13

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Tread for Tires by Elijah McCoy, U.S. Patent 1,127,789, granted 1915-02-09.

Elijah McCoy

Tread for Tires

1910-12-31

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Breathing Device by Garrett A. Morgan, U.S. Patent 1,090,936, granted 1914-03-24.

Garrett A. Morgan

Breathing Device

1912-09-21

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Package Tie by John S. Allen, U.S. Patent 1,093,096, granted 1914-04-14.

John S. Allen

Package Tie

1909-11-24

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Locomotive Lubricator by Elijah McCoy, U.S. Patent 1,097,134, granted 1914-05-19.

Elijah McCoy

Locomotive Lubricator

1911-08-14

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Bed Attachment by Francis L. Hooper, U.S. Patent 1,100,303, granted 1914-06-16.

Francis L. Hooper

Bed Attachment

1913-12-22

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Fireplace Fender by Allen Dixon, U.S. Patent 1,102,328, granted 1914-07-07.

Allen Dixon

Fireplace Fender

1913-05-05

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Bedstead Extension by Oscar R. Cassell, U.S. Patent 1,105,487, granted 1914-07-28.

Oscar R. Cassell

Bedstead Extension

1913-12-06

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Green Pea, Bean, and Cow Pea Huller by Robert P. Scott, U.S. Patent 1,107,207, granted 1914-08-11.

Robert P. Scott

Green Pea, Bean, and Cow Pea Huller

1913-09-30

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Breathing Device by Garrett A. Morgan, U.S. Patent 1,113,675, granted 1914-10-13.

Garrett A. Morgan

Breathing Device

1912-08-19

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Aeroplane by John E. McWorter, U.S. Patent 1,115,710, granted 1914-11-03.

John E. McWorter

Aeroplane

1911-06-26

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Automatic Film Mover by Ned E. Barnes, U.S. Patent 1,124,879, granted 1915-01-12.

Ned E. Barnes

Automatic Film Mover

1913-05-22

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Apparatus for Use in Making Music Sheets for Player Pianos by Samuel L. Dickinson, U.S. Patent 1,126,725, granted 1915-02-02.

Samuel L. Dickinson

Apparatus for Use in Making Music Sheets for Player Pianos

1913-04-01

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

Patent drawing for Music Cabinet by Mason A. Hawkins, U.S. Patent 1,135,281, granted 1915-04-13.

Mason A. Hawkins

Music Cabinet

Not stated in digitized patent metadata

Distinct invention claim — no explicit improvement wording

bottom of page