inventions

[Mining methods in 16th Century England]

Water wheel powering pulley mechanism above mine shaft. Book 6, p. 155. Illus. in: Georg Agricola, De Re Metallica, (Basel, 1556). Ref. copy may be in SSF - MINING. This record contains unverified data from cap... More

Diagrammatic designs for gun carriage Sc., T&W Schleuer

Print shows the designs for the inner workings of a cannon. Gift; Col. J.R. Lovell; 8-9-46 Stamped in lower left: Copy 5. Portions torn away from top of print. Two versions on same mat. On same mat with LC-DIG... More

Concours sur le meilleur moyen d'élever un ballon sans perte de gaz de...

Design drawing shows proposal by Louis Panafieu in which the operator in an open car attached to the balloon achieves lift without loss of gas in ballast by manipulating cords on underside of the balloon. Inclu... More

Patent Drawing of Engine - [Design drawings for paddle wheel steamer] ...

Design of side wheel steamer showing wheel mechanism, side view and cross-section in 10 figures. Inscribed on recto: E.F. Horicks, New York City. Inscribed on verso: with E.F. Aldricks letter 30 March 1942.

[Springs and devices for measuring their tension and strength]

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated book page scan, engraving, free to use art, no copyright restrictions image.

Ventilator for Hall of Representatives

U.S. Capitol (drawing). This record contains unverified data from caption card.

Motorized gramophone motion picture

Mounted on card. Originally housed in Joseph Sanders Collection Box 5. Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his development of the flat disc reco... More

[Astrological device showing signs of the Chinese calendar, with case]

Inscribed in pencil on lower left corner of paper mount: Kano Nov. 1878. From the "Medicine" series. Gift; Mrs. David Murray; 1909. Forms part of: David Murray collection. Forms part of: Japanese prints and dr... More

One of Thomas Edison's inventions in his office & library at The Thoma...

Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2016:103-8). Forms part of Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol... More

Document, 1879 Jan. 8, stating Emile Berliner's claims to telephony in...

May have been inside envelope addressed to Houghton Mifflin & Co., "re Watson's article, 1916." Drawing of invention attached. Document asserts Emile Berliner's claims to have invented improvements to telephony... More

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

Thomas A. Edison Birthplace, Front Street & Choate Avenue, Milan, Erie...

Significance: From the Nat'l Register nomination: Thomas Alva Edison, one of America's most illustrious inventors, was born in this house on February 11, 1847. Although he left Milan in 1854, before this struct... More

Boston firemen. Cleaning the machine, Plate No. 1

This record contains unverified data from PGA shelflist and PAGA catalog cards. Entered 1851 by John Prince. J.H. Bufford, lith. MF-3A. Associated name on shelflist card: Bufford. PAGA card tracings: Fire engin... More

[Steam engine, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Piston cylinder ...

Inscriptions on recto: "Plan of Peston [sic]" "Section of Cylinder" "Plan of Cylinder Top" "Plan of Cylinder Bottom" "October 1st 1808" "25" Delineator: James Smallwood. (Source: The Engineering Drawin... More

G. W. G. Ferris House, 311 West Third Street, Carson City, Carson City...

Significance: An attractive nineteenth century house with later, elaborate Colonial Revival interior trim. This building was the boyhood home of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel. Survey number: HABS NV-13-14 ... More

The good sport / motion picture

A domestic comedy about a wealthy young woman whose poor inventor husband becomes rich when he perfects the first elevator that ever stopped even without a floor. LP12317 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas... More

Chemical vessels. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Print shows a variety of different types of chemical vessels, such as a "cucurbit, matras or bolt-head, retort," an "alembic," a "cold-still, circulating glass, pelican, copper alembic with its refrigeratory, [... More

Plateforme aérienne, cerf-volant libre dirigeable, système Vaussin-Cha...

Design drawing shows a system for powering an airship with manually operated propellers. Includes longitudinal views of dirigible platform assembly and identification key. Tissandier collection.

Patent drawing - Aèrostat système Vaussin Chardanne (brevetè). Moyens ...

Patent design drawing for a safe system to regulate the altitude of a balloon while preserving gas and ballast. Includes 9 detail views, cross section, elevation, and identification key. Tissandier collection.

First Bell Telephone motion picture

Attached caption: "10. First Bell Telephone, June 1875." Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his development of the flat disc record and the Gra... More

[Prometheus unbound; or, science in Olympus]

The following description traces the figures clockwise from upper left. Vulcan, the god of fire and the forging of metals, and several cyclops watch in amazement as a modern man demonstrates a power press. Ne... More

Emile Berliner, three-quarter length portrait, facing right, looking d...

Originally housed in Illustrations folder. Public domain photograph - Portrait, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Blackhoof Street Bridge, Spanning Miami-Erie Canal, New Bremen, Auglai...

Significance: The Blackhoof Street Bridge is a rare example of a bowstring bridge whose major components are of cast iron. The bridge is also an early example of the work of David H. Morrison, founder of the C... More

[Steam engine, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Transverse eleva...

Inscriptions on recto: "Transverse Elevation" "September 29th 1808" "Boiler" "Flue" "Chimney flue" "Cylinder selle" "Cistern" "Ash pit." Delineator: James Smallwood. (Source: The Engineering Drawi... More

Jan van der Straet - Map of the Western Hemisphere

Title plate to Nova Reperta, a series of engravings after drawings by Stradanus published by Galle in Antwerp. Shows Christopher Columbus pointing to a map of the Western Hemisphere. New France and Florida are ... More

Theory of navigable canals J. Pass sculpt

Print shows several figures illustrating the mechanical devices that operate the hydraulic and dragging mechanisms, and other features of canal operations, also shows a canal boat loaded with freight. Printed ... More

The great wheel South Troy, N.Y.

This record contains unverified data from PGA shelflist card. Associated name on shelflist card: Covey, Arthur. [Written in pencil]. Check 500 field.

[Submarine ("Submarine Vessel, Submarine Bombs and Mode of Attack") fo...

Inscribed: Plate the first ; half an inch to a foot ; Robt. Fulton 1806.

[Fortification on the outskirts of Paris. Section, elevation, and plan...

Plate 35. "From the collection of the Dukes of Wellington, Stratfield Saye." Title, date and provenance information from the donor's inventory. Kenneth H. Walker Collection. Item conserved and/or rehoused. Se... More

Patent drawing - Aérostat dirigeable système Vaussin Chardanne, brevet...

Scaled design drawings for patent issued to Vaussin Chardanne in 1853 for an airship operated by means of six propellers and having accommodations for passengers on two levels. Airship proposal presented to the... More

[Cartoon showing monstrous balloon competing with railroad train as a ...

Landauer Collection of Aeronautical Prints and Drawings. Reference copy may be in LOT 4700 B. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Freight; Balloons Cat.; Rr Cartoon; Shelf.

[Lee DeForest, 1873-1961, half length portrait, seated with one of his...

Photo by Bain News Service. Title and other information transcribed from unverified, old caption card data and item. George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). Caption card tracings: PI; Shelf.

Seeing by electricity / W.A. Carey, sc.

Print shows a selenium camera invented by George R. Carey and presents the concept of electronic transmission of images.

[A double pump fire engine of the Fire Brigade]

Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and French. No. 26. In album: Fire Brigade personnel and equipment, Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. Forms part of: Abdul-Hamid II Collection (Library ... More

I don't mind, Henry : what is your invention?

Gift; Ernest Fuhr estate; (DLC/PP-1934:0111). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: "Progress" by St. John Ervine, Saturday evening post, 194:10 (Feb. 11, 1922).

Exhibition Interior design by the interior design staff, Federal Art P...

Poster for Federal Art Project exhibition of interior design. Public domain photograph - New York, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Suspension bridge. River and falls in the distance Niagara Falls

Photograph shows a man sitting near the Niagara Falls suspension bridge. "The Holmes Stereoscope, with the inventions and improvements added by Joseph L. Bates, 129 Washington Street, Boston" retailer advertis... More

Lee De Forest's schematic diagrams and scientific notes on hotel stati...

Reproduction number: A27 (color slide; page 1); A28 (color slide; page 2) The prolific American inventor Lee De Forest (1873-1961), is one of several contenders for the title "Father of Radio." Having obtained ... More

Plate, punch card, and instructions for Herman Hollerith's Electric So...

Reproduction number: A55 (color slide; pages 4 and 5 of instructions); A56 (color slide; plate and punch card) Modern data processing began with the inventions of American engineer Herman Hollerith (1860-1929),... More

Bulletins, from October 5, 1908 to December 28, 1908

Alexander Graham Bell Papers. Public domain aerial photograph, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Public domain photograph - New York, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions i... More

[Steam engine, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Transverse eleva...

Inscriptions on recto: "Transverse Elevation" "September 29th 1808" "Boiler" "Flue" "Chimney flue" "Cylinder selle" "Cistern" "Ash pit." Delineator: James Smallwood. (Source: The Engineering Drawi... More

[Movement of human appendages and pulley systems compared using princi...

Illus. in: De motu animalium / Giovanni Alfonso Borelli. 2 vols. Romae : Ex Typographis A. Bernabo, 1680-1681. Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. Bruno. Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, ... More

Cotton Gins...the machine invented by Eli Whitney, for ginning cotton,...

Illus. in: American Farmer ..., v. 4. Baltimore, 1823, p. 380. Reference copy may be in LOT 4434 F. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Farm machinery...; Cotton ... More

Youths progressive recorder Historic map, Library of Congress

Copyright design drawing shows the Youths progressive recorder, a mechanical handwriting copying machine. Stamped: Copyright library. Inscribed upper right: This map is a design and the title of the writing to ... More

De la Rue aeroplane (Ferber's), in flight

Forms part of: George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). Title from unverified data provided by the Bain News Service on the negatives or caption cards. General information about the George Grantha... More

"Lyons patent for moving trunks, stoves, etc. down stairs"

summary: Subject: Two wheeled hand cart with a special attachment to help haul heavy objects up stairs. original size: 6x8

Wonders of the wireless age - Drawing. Public domain image.

(DLC/PP-1933:0112). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Chicago Tribune, 1922.

Lee De Forest's schematic diagrams and scientific notes on hotel stati...

Reproduction number: A27 (color slide; page 1); A28 (color slide; page 2) The prolific American inventor Lee De Forest (1873-1961), is one of several contenders for the title "Father of Radio." Having obtained ... More

Thomas A. Edison Birthplace, Front Street & Choate Avenue, Milan, Erie...

Significance: From the Nat'l Register nomination: Thomas Alva Edison, one of America's most illustrious inventors, was born in this house on February 11, 1847. Although he left Milan in 1854, before this struct... More

[George Moriarty, Detroit Tigers, baseball card portrait]

Baseball card title devised by Library staff. Issued by: American Tobacco Company. Forms part of: Baseball cards from the Benjamin K. Edwards Collection.

G. W. G. Ferris House, 311 West Third Street, Carson City, Carson City...

Significance: An attractive nineteenth century house with later, elaborate Colonial Revival interior trim. This building was the boyhood home of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel. Survey number: HABS NV-13-14 ... More

[Illustrations of experiments proving air is a compressed substance an...

Frontispiece and title page in: Experiments and observations on different kinds of air / Joseph Priestley. 3 vols. London : J. Johnson, 1774-1777. Published in: The tradition of science / Leonard C. Bruno. Wash... More

Steam engine with 9 in. cyl. 18 in. stroke by J.T. Sutton & Co. Frankl...

Print shows front and side views and a cut-away view of a steam engine. Printed at top right corner: Pl. 1. Illus. from: The American engineer, draftsman, and machinist's assistant : designed for practical wor... More

Microphone of March 4, 1877 - An old photo of a spinning clock on a ta...

Attached caption: "Microphone of March 4, 1877, used in lawsuits in 1879. Still transmitting today the ticking of a watch and every other sound." Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor ... More

Haying scene on Watson Ranch, west of Kearney, Nebraska.

summary: Note: On back of print: "Rankin of Tarkio, Mo. The Bonanza farmer showing his new patent hay stacker to O.S. Smith. Mr. Smith and Rankin stand just in front of the two men with forks on stack. Mr. Ra... More

Drawings by Alexander Graham Bell?, from June 25, 1881 to December 26,...

Public domain photograph of a machine part, motor, equipment, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

G. W. G. Ferris House, 311 West Third Street, Carson City, Carson City...

Significance: An attractive nineteenth century house with later, elaborate Colonial Revival interior trim. This building was the boyhood home of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel. Survey number: HABS NV-13-14 ... More

Elevazione aereobatica eseguita da Francezco Orlandi in Bologna nei pu...

Print shows the balloon of Francesco Orlandi ascending over the public gardens of Bologna, Italy, November 6, 1828. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.) Tissandier collection.

Mr. Pennington's steam balloon, signs of the times : The Oregon

Print shows an early design for a dirigible-shaped "aerostat" that is powered by steam which drives side-paddles; includes a smokestack at top center and flags at both ends. Includes five lines of text and two... More

Lewis wagon / J.S. Vernam del. ; Compton, Gibson & Co., Buffalo.

Elevation of wagon and plans for frame and axles. Illus. in: The Contractors book of working drawings of tools and machines / compiled by George Cole.

Mercury invents the lyre and for it he receives the Caduceus from Apol...

(DLC/PP-1935:0022). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published as headpiece in: "Hermes," Century magazine.

Early hand wind machine - Early photography, Public domain image

Title taken from Brown Berliner photo box list. Originally grouped in Brown Berliner photo box, item 2. Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his ... More

Paulhan in aeroplane greets his wife in a balloon, both in flight

Forms part of: George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). Title from unverified data provided by the Bain News Service on the negatives or caption cards. General information about the George Grantha... More

De la Rue aeroplane (Ferber's), in flight

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, balloon, airship, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Alexander Graham Bell's design sketch of the telephone, ca. 1876

Reproduction number: A8 (color slide; front); A9 (color slide; verso); LC-MSS-51268-6 (B&W negative; front) This sketch made its way from Boston, Massachusetts, to Australia and back to the United States in tim... More

Drawings by Alexander Graham Bell?, from September 1901 to July 17, 19...

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

[Diagram of experiment with prisms that led Newton to conclude light i...

Illus. and text in: A letter ... containing his new theory about light and colors / Isaac Newton. In Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions, vol. 6, Feb. 1672. Published in: The tradition of scienc... More

Cooke's Patent Drill Machine

Machine for sowing seeds. Illus. in: Columbian Magazine, 1789 June, opp. p. 353. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: BI WORKS; Rare Bk. Div.; Farm machinery; Shelf.

Land Marks, Liverpool Bay - Public domain architectural drawing

Public domain scan of a technical diagram, plan, or drawing, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description.

Dynometer for fan experiments - Public domain drawing

Drawing. This record contains unverified data from caption card.

[Scaled design drawing for the valve assembly of a balloon, including ...

Tissandier collection. Public domain scan of decorative drawing, decor elements, art design, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Professor Bell in Lyceum Hall, Salem, addressing a party of scientific...

Print shows the inventor Alexander Graham Bell demonstrating his experimental telephone, which had a connection between Salem and Boston, Massachusetts. Bell had given previous demonstrations in February 1877 a... More

Letter, Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute concerning the Wright brothers...

Reproduction number: A21 (color slide; first page); A22 (color slide; last page); LC-MSS-15560-1 (B&W negatives; pages 1-5) Engineer Octave Chanute (1832-1910), a friend and supporter of Wilbur Wright (1867-191... More

Plate, punch card, and instructions for Herman Hollerith's Electric So...

Reproduction number: A55 (color slide; pages 4 and 5 of instructions); A56 (color slide; plate and punch card) Modern data processing began with the inventions of American engineer Herman Hollerith (1860-1929),... More

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

Spiritali di Herone Alessandrino, ridotti in lingua volgare da Alessan...

Translation of Pneumatika. Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site. LAC ecr 2018-11-15 update (1 card)

Drawings by Alexander Graham Bell?, from June 25, 1881 to December 26,...

Public domain photograph related to development of telegraph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Drawings by Alexander Graham Bell?, from June 25, 1881 to December 26,...

Public domain photograph related to development of telegraph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Steam engine, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Steam engine, ca...

Engineering drawing showing the cog wheel connecting the fly wheel shaft of the engine with the main hammer shaft and the cam ring and cam of the main hammer shaft of a steam engine. [No.] 22. Forms part of: Be... More

Anemometer - Thomas Sprat's, History of the Royal Society of London

A drawing of a clock and a ruler, Library of Congress Harris and Ewing collection Portraits and news photographs by Washington, D.C.-based firm, showing people, events, architecture in Washington, D.C. and els... More

L'Hirondelle. V. Triquet, Tissandier Collection, France

Print shows the balloon "L'Hirondelle V. Triquet" flying with two men on board. Tissandier collection.

[Iron mask, collar, leg shackles and spurs used to restrict slaves]

Illus. in: The penitential tyrant / Thomas Branagan. New-York: Printed by Samuel Wood, no. 362, Pearl-street, 1807. Reference copy in: LOT 4422-A-3.

Pintle for outer fly-doors - Public domain drawing

U.S. Capitol (drawing). This record contains unverified data from caption card.

Velocipede brace lith. of Henry Seibert & Bros. Ledger Building cor. W...

Print shows suspenders and three vignettes showing a man wearing them while riding a bicycle and front and back views of a man wearing the suspenders. Caption continues: Patent May 1869 apd. for. Publication d... More

Carpet cleaner run by a gasoline engine in Kearney, Nebraska

original size: 6x8 Public domain photograph of carpet, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Plate, punch card, and instructions for Herman Hollerith's Electric So...

Reproduction number: A55 (color slide; pages 4 and 5 of instructions); A56 (color slide; plate and punch card) Modern data processing began with the inventions of American engineer Herman Hollerith (1860-1929),... More

Journal by Alexander Graham Bell and Melville James Bell, from 1867 to...

Patent drawing - Letter from Alexander Graham Bell to Gardiner Greene ...

Thomas A. Edison Birthplace, Front Street & Choate Avenue, Milan, Erie...

Significance: From the Nat'l Register nomination: Thomas Alva Edison, one of America's most illustrious inventors, was born in this house on February 11, 1847. Although he left Milan in 1854, before this struct... More

Thomas A. Edison Birthplace, Front Street & Choate Avenue, Milan, Erie...

Significance: From the Nat'l Register nomination: Thomas Alva Edison, one of America's most illustrious inventors, was born in this house on February 11, 1847. Although he left Milan in 1854, before this struct... More

Journal by Alexander Graham Bell and Melville James Bell, from 1867 to...

Homo volans. Book illustration from Library of Congress

Print shows a man, wearing a large square-framed parachute, safely parachuting next to a building, presumably from which he has jumped off. Illus. in: Machinæ novæ. Venetiis : [1615?]. Published in: The tradit... More

Derrick for [U.S.] Capitol dome

Drawing. This record contains unverified data from caption card. The original U.S. Capitol building, known as the "Old Capitol," was a small brick building that was completed in 1800. It served as the Capitol ... More

[Block making machine that produced wooden blocks for block and tackle...

Illus. in: Cyclopædia of useful arts, mechanical and chemical, manufactures, mining, and engineering / ed. by Charles Tomlinson.... London : New York, G. Virtue & co., 1854. Published in: The tradition of tech... More

Patent drawing - Navire aérien dirigeable. Systême J.B. Métivier, forc...

Scaled design drawing for a patent submitted by J.B. Métivier shows two cross-sections for a fish shaped airship utilizing balloons, sails, bellows, and propellers to transport passengers. (Source: A.G. Renstro... More

[Civil War envelope showing American flag with eagle and laurel atop f...

Addressed to Mr. Eli Whitney, New Haven, Conn.; bears 3 cent stamp; postmarked Ansonia, Ct. Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2010; (DLC/PP-2010:105). Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs... More