Form: Patents - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Extent:: 129.5 linear feet (95 containers [includes approximately 5764 rolled plans])
Abstract:: In 1905, Thomas D. Bowes (1883-1965) founded the naval architecture firm of Thomas D. Bowes, M.E., Associates Inc. From 1905 to 1965, the Bowes firm functioned as part of a large network of ship design and building companies along Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront, which included the John H. Mathis Company, which built many of Bowes’ designs, and RTC Shipbuilding Company. Bowes designed vessels of all sizes, from small sail boats to 300 foot barges; and for all purposes, receiving contracts for leisure, business and military vessels. More specifically, Bowes designed over eighty tugboats, several of Philadelphia’s fireboats and over 300 yachts, which were mostly commuter and houseboat yachts. He also designed and patented the Bowes Drive, an electric device for the reduction of speed between the engine and drive shafts in marine installations. Overall, “Tugboat Tom,” as he was known, designed over 800 vessel plans. The Thomas D. Bowes, M.E., Associates records, 1904-1980,...(see more)

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Extent:: .7 linear foot (1 box) and 1 oversize box
Abstract:: Personal and professional papers of William John Williams, an analytical chemist who immigrated to the United States in 1885 from Abergele, North Wales in Great Britain, and worked in a number of manufacturing fields, including fertilizers, soaps, bleaches, brickmaking, and sewage and water treatment. A tremendous amount of his work was with phosphates, reflected in this collection by the substantial amount of notes and correspondence about various chemical processes involving phosphates.

Held at: University of Delaware Library Special Collections [Contact Us]

Extent:: 8 linear foot (8 boxes) and 1 oversize removal
Abstract:: The Mergenthaler Linotype Company developed and manufactured the first modern, functional "line casting" machine. The company records include correspondence, promotional material, histories, chronologies, photographs, drawings, patent records, and assorted parts and supply catalogs.

Held at: University of Delaware Library Special Collections [Contact Us]

Extent:: 13.3 linear foot (14 boxes)
Abstract:: The Conard-Pyle Company records supplement includes substantial additions to the series in the original collection, as well as records which constitute three new series related to the Atlantic Coast Nurseries, Inc., printed material, and Robert Pyle's professional papers.

Held at: University of Delaware Library Special Collections [Contact Us]

Extent:: 26.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The John E. Hand & Sons Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1873. The Hand Company built navigational equipment for all varieties of floating vessels, and operated a chain of retail outlets with “service stations” in numerous port cities, including Baltimore and New Orleans, until 1956. Service stations sold Hand instruments as well as other nautical paraphernalia and provided compass adjusting services. The collection documents the business activities of the John E. Hand & Sons Company from its institution in 1873 to 1997, when the company was sold. The collection boasts a wide breadth of material that includes legal documents, financial records, patents, correspondence, contracts, reports, catalogs and other ephemera, photographs, and engineering plans. Together, the records provide a thorough account of the firm’s operations.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

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