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Schilling Canal Boat Propulsion System, Patent Model

National Museum of American History

Object Details

patentee
Schilling, Cornelius
inventor
Schilling, Cornelius
Description
In 1870, Cornelius Schilling patented the use of an oscillating single-bladed paddle to propel vessels "with ease and facility." The next year he thought better of his inefficient idea. In a new patent application, he disclaimed everything in his first attempt and proposed instead the arrangement of multiple paddles seen in this model. This model accompanied his application for an “improvement in propulsion of canal boats” that received patent number 119,792 on October 10, 1871. The patent claimed that the paddles "are so arranged that they alternate with each other, one set being in action while the other is carried back through the air, and thereby a continuous action of the propeller is produced."
Location
Currently not on view
1871
patent date
1871-10-10
ID Number
1979.1029.02
catalog number
1979.1029.02
accession number
1979.1029
patent number
119,792
Object Name
canal boat propulsion, patent model
patent model, boat propulsion, canal
Object Type
Patent Model
Physical Description
brass (overall material)
tin (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 10 in x 4 in x 3 1/2 in; 25.4 cm x 10.16 cm x 8.89 cm
Associated Place
United States: New York
associated place
United States: New York, New York City
See more items in
Work and Industry: Maritime
America on the Move
Transportation
National Museum of American History
Subject
Patent Models
Record ID
nmah_1316598
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b4-4430-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

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This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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