Inventor: Elijah McCoy
Patent Number: 150,876 (US-0150876-A)
Date of Patent: May 12, 1874
Invention: Improvement in Ironing-Tables
Description of the Invention: Elijah McCoy’s 1874 patent was for an “Improvement in Ironing-Tables.” This invention aimed to make ironing easier and more efficient. The key features of his design included:
- Collapsible and Portable Design: The ironing table was designed to be easily folded up and stored when not in use, making it convenient for homes with limited space.
- Adjustable Height: The table’s height could be adjusted to suit the user’s preference, reducing back strain and making ironing more comfortable.
- Improved Stability: The design incorporated features to make the table more stable and prevent it from wobbling during use.
- Fabric Support: The table included a smooth, padded surface to support the fabric being ironed, ensuring a better ironing result.
Personal Significance (Elijah McCoy): Elijah McCoy (1844-1929) was a Canadian-American inventor and engineer of African-American descent. As discussed previously, he is best known for his automatic lubricating cup for steam engines, which revolutionized the railroad industry. However, his patent for an improved ironing table demonstrates his versatility and his commitment to improving everyday life through practical inventions. Despite facing racial prejudice and limited opportunities, McCoy secured over 50 patents throughout his lifetime, showcasing his remarkable ingenuity and perseverance. His contributions spanned various fields, from transportation to household appliances, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation.
Historical Significance: Elijah McCoy’s “Improvement in Ironing-Tables” reflects the late 19th-century focus on improving domestic life through technology.
- Impact on Household Efficiency: Ironing was a time-consuming and often arduous task. McCoy’s invention, with its collapsible design and adjustable height, aimed to make this chore more convenient and less physically demanding.
- Advancements in Home Appliances: This patent is part of a broader trend of innovation in household appliances during the Industrial Revolution. As technology advanced, inventors sought to simplify and automate tasks, leading to the development of more efficient and user-friendly tools for domestic use.
- African American Contributions to Daily Life: McCoy’s ironing table patent highlights the significant, yet often overlooked, contributions of African-American inventors to improving everyday life. His work, along with that of other Black inventors, helped to shape the development of modern conveniences and household technologies.
- Empowerment through Invention: For African Americans like McCoy, obtaining patents represented a form of economic and intellectual empowerment, challenging prevailing social norms and demonstrating their capacity for ingenuity.
