Window Cleaner – Patent No. 483,359
Inventor: Anthony L. Lewis, of Evanston, Illinois.
Patent Number: 483,359
Date of Patent: September 27, 1892
Description: Anthony L. Lewis’s patent for a “Window Cleaner” describes a multi-functional tool designed to make window washing more efficient. The device consisted of a rigid body with a handle, to which a flexible, perforated rubber reservoir was attached. Inside this reservoir was a sponge or other “bibulous material” that held water by capillary action. On the opposite side of the tool was an integrated scraper.
To use the cleaner, the user would soak the reservoir in water to saturate the sponge. Pressing the reservoir against a window would force water through the perforations to wet and soften the dirt. The user would then flip the tool over and use the scraper to remove the water and dirt. The patent is a direct ancestor of the modern combination squeegee or all-in-one window cleaner.
Societal Impact and Legacy
- Domestic Efficiency: Lewis’s invention streamlined a common household chore by combining the wetting and scraping steps into a single, convenient tool. It was part of a larger trend of innovations that aimed to simplify domestic tasks.
- The Inventor’s Legacy: Anthony L. Lewis was an African American inventor. His work is a testament to the ingenuity of Black innovators in developing products for the consumer market. His invention, which established the core design for modern window cleaning tools, is part of the broader story of how Black inventors contributed to American technology and culture despite facing significant racial discrimination.
