Thomas Elkins was granted patent 122,518 on January 9, 1872, for an “Improvement in Chamber-Commodes.” The invention was a piece of multi-functional furniture designed for efficiency and convenience in a bedroom. The patent describes a single piece of furniture that combined several different items into one.
Key Features
- Multi-Functional Design: The invention, referred to as a “chamber-commode,” was a combination of a bureau, a washstand, a table, an easy-chair, and an earth-closet or chamber stool. The easy-chair was built into the center of the unit, and a removable table could be placed in front of it for sewing, writing, or eating.
- Earth-Closet: The chair portion of the commode contained an opening for a stool. Below this was a closet for a vessel. An earth-reservoir with a funnel-shaped bottom was located behind the unit. A valve or gate could be operated to allow earth to fall into the vessel, acting as a rudimentary flushing system.
- Hidden Features: When the table was not in use, it could be placed over the chair’s recess, giving the entire piece the appearance of a standard bureau. The washstand was designed to swing out and could be hidden away when not in use.
Societal Impact
Elkins’s invention was a practical solution for urban living in the late 19th century, where space was often limited and indoor plumbing was not yet standard.
- Space-Saving Furniture: The multi-functional design was ideal for small apartments or homes with limited space, as it eliminated the need for several separate pieces of furniture. This was a valuable innovation for city dwellers.
- Improved Sanitation: The integrated earth-closet was a key feature. In an era before widespread indoor plumbing, earth-closets offered a more sanitary and odor-free alternative to chamber pots. Elkins’s invention incorporated this technology into a discreet and convenient piece of furniture.
Thomas Elkins (1818-1900): A Remarkable Inventor and Figure
Elkins was much more than just an inventor. He was a prominent African American abolitionist and a skilled medical professional in Albany, New York. His other notable patents include:
- Combined Dining and Ironing Table and Quilting Frame (U.S. Patent #100,020, 1870) – another brilliant space-saving, multi-purpose furniture item.
- Refrigerating Apparatus (U.S. Patent #221,222, 1879) – designed for preserving food and other perishable items.
Thomas Elkins’ Chamber Commode stands as a testament to his inventive genius and his focus on creating practical, multi-functional solutions to improve daily life in the 19th century.
