The Invention: “Paint-Vehicle” and “Process of Art Decoration”
The patent, US393763A, granted to William A. Johnson of Bangor, Maine on December 4, 1888, is for a new “Process of Art Decoration” and a specific “Paint-Vehicle” to be used in that process.
Summary of the Invention:
Johnson’s invention is a two-part process for inexpensively decorating various surfaces, including walls, ceilings, and furniture.
Part 1: The “Paint-Vehicle”
The first part of the invention is a unique liquid mixture that acts as the “vehicle” or binder for dry paint pigments. The specific recipe provided in the patent is:
- 1 pint of good cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of saltpeter
- 1 teaspoon of common salt
- 1 teaspoon of mixed sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of German cologne
- 1/2 teaspoon of whiskey
These ingredients are to be “thoroughly mix[ed] until the ingredients are dissolved.”
Part 2: The “Process of Art Decoration”
The second part is the method of applying this paint mixture and creating the decorative effect. The process is as follows:
- Preparation: The liquid vehicle and common dry paint (of any color) are kept in two separate dishes.
- Application: A fine, soft sponge is dipped first into the liquid vehicle, then into the dry paint. The mixture is then “rubb[ed] over” the surface to be decorated, creating a smooth, even coat.
- Stamping: While the paint is still wet, a lump of common putty is molded into a desired design (e.g., a flower, leaf, or vine). This putty is then used as a stamp to press the design onto the prepared surface. The putty is soft enough to mold but firm enough to retain its shape.
- Finishing: The prepared surface “dries in a few minutes” and is then “varnished with a thin coat of common furniture-varnish.”
Significance of the Invention and Inventor
While this patent may not have revolutionized the paint industry, it is highly significant for what it reveals about the time period and the inventor’s goals.
Significance on Society:
- Inexpensive DIY Decor: Johnson’s primary selling point is that his process is “inexpensive” and can be a “substitute for paper” on walls and ceilings at a fraction of the cost. This democratizes interior decoration, making it accessible to a wider segment of the population. It is a precursor to modern DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and home improvement culture.
- The Rise of Home Aesthetics: The late 19th century was a period of increasing focus on home aesthetics and personal expression. As middle-class homes became more common, there was a growing desire to decorate them in fashionable ways. This invention catered directly to that market, allowing individuals to create “elegant dados, friezes, and borders” themselves.
- A “Folk Art” Approach to Patenting: This patent is a perfect example of a “folk art” or individual-driven invention. The recipe, with its seemingly arbitrary combination of household items like vinegar, salt, sugar, cologne, and whiskey, is not based on formal chemical principles but rather on empirical experimentation. This is a common characteristic of many patents from the era, where inventors applied for protection for practical, homegrown solutions.
Significance of the Inventor:
- An Entrepreneurial Spirit: William A. Johnson, residing in Bangor, Maine, was likely not a major industrialist. He was an individual with an idea who understood the value of protecting it with a patent. His detailed, step-by-step description and explicit claims show a clear intent to commercialize his process.
- A “Solutions-Oriented” Mindset: Johnson was not inventing a new type of paint, but rather a new process to use existing materials (dry paint) in a novel way. His focus was on solving a practical problem for consumers: how to decorate a space affordably and artistically. This highlights a common theme among 19th-century inventors: finding clever, low-tech solutions to widespread problems.
- A Window into the Past: This patent is a fascinating historical document that provides insight into the materials and aesthetics of the late 1800s. The use of specific items like “German cologne” and “cider-vinegar” roots the invention firmly in its time and place, showcasing the kinds of everyday substances that inventors would manipulate to create their solutions.
