Object Details
- Description
- Like many people of his era, Lincoln believed deeply in the value of personal initiative, inventiveness, and scientific and technological change. Lincoln’s mechanical and scientific interests began with his training as a surveyor in New Salem and continued throughout his life.
- In 1848 he decided try his own hand at developing an invention to lift boats grounded in shallow water. On May 22, 1849, Congressman Abraham Lincoln received a patent for his method of lifting boats over shoals. A trip to Niagara Falls inspired the design, when he witnessed a grounded boat being lifted over shallow waters. Lincoln produced the model with the help of Walter Davis, a Springfield mechanic. There is no evidence that he ever sought to put the idea into production.
- Transfer from the U.S. Patent Office, 1922
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- prior to 1849
- date patented
- 1849-05-22
- patentee
- Lincoln, Abraham
- maker
- Lincoln, Abraham
- place made
- United States: Illinois
- general subject association
- Patent Models
- See more items in
- Political History: Political History, Presidential History Collection
- Government, Politics, and Reform
- Transportation
- Related Publication
- Rubenstein, Harry R.. Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- ID Number
- PL.031940
- catalog number
- 31940
- accession number
- 48865
- patent number
- 6469
- Object Name
- patent model
- Object Type
- Patent Model
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- brown (overall color)
- fabric (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 9 3/4 in x 26 1/4 in x 4 3/4 in; 24.765 cm x 66.675 cm x 12.065 cm
- Record ID
- nmah_213141
3D Model