Inventions

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-12-01

Creator(s)

Choinski, Anthony de

Language

English

Period

African Safari (March 1909-1910)

Homer A. Everest has invented a non-refillable bottle and an improved loom. He and his partner do not have enough money and would like to show Theodore Roosevelt their inventions in the hope he will be interested. Everest explains his family history to Roosevelt and decries the whiskey tampering occurring in Rhode Island, enclosing related clippings. He hopes to meet Roosevelt in Boston.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-19

Creator(s)

Everest, Homer A. (Homer Alvord), 1858-

Franklin A. Guthrie sends Theodore Roosevelt drawings of his invention for producing power by hydro pneumatic pressure.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-11

Creator(s)

Guthrie, Franklin A. (Franklin Augustus), 1838-1913

Samson W. Fuller of the War Department writes to inventor and machinery operator John Hewetson Lorimer that the Board will make no allotments for the “experimental development of machines for aerial navigation.” Machines also should have been brought to practical operation without government expense.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-31

Creator(s)

Fuller, Samson W.

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, Frank Harper thanks Mrs. H. M. May for the letter and clipping. He suggests that May submit the matter to the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-10-17

Creator(s)

Harper, Frank, 1882-1971

On behalf of Theodore Roosevelt, his secretary thanks Homer A. Everest for his letter, but Roosevelt cannot help him with his inventions and does not know anyone who can.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-02

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary declines N. H. C. Phil’s request for Roosevelt to intervene in the matter Phil has brought to his attention, as Roosevelt knows nothing about the invention nor to whom to refer Phil.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-30

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs H. B. Taylor that while Roosevelt is interested in Taylor’s invention, he has no advice that he can on how to move forward with it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-23

Creator(s)

Secretary of Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt congratulates General George F. Elliott about his idea for a combined pick and spade.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-06

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt does not need to personally see Clayton Rockhill’s invention himself, but if Rockhill knows to whom he would like to show it in the Navy or Army, Roosevelt will give him a letter to ensure it will be carefully considered. Roosevelt cannot give a letter of introduction for a man he does not know, but since the young man will be in the company of William H. Taft’s nephew, perhaps he can give an introduction that will cover them both.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-21

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt congratulates John Campbell Greenway and was delighted to learn about the “Greenway ore unloader.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Joseph C. Howells describes his invention of paper for postage or revenue stamps. He asks Theodore Roosevelt for advice on getting his invention to the government. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-14

Creator(s)

Howells, Joseph C.

A. Rogers feels his patented device for helping surveyors would benefit the government and asks Theodore Roosevelt for help.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-10

Creator(s)

Rogers, A.

Joseph Goodrich invented a current motor that can harness the power of any size river without interfering with navigation. At his wife’s suggestion, Goodrich asks Theodore Roosevelt for help getting his invention out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-07

Creator(s)

Goodrich, Joseph

Franklin A. Guthrie writes to Theodore Roosevelt concerning his scientific invention, and asks if he or anyone he knows would be willing to sponsor his work. The then-Chief of Engineers of the War Department, Alexander Mackenzie, had acknowledged Guthrie’s work. He only wishes for a small pension so that he can commit the final years of his life to servicing in the interest of the country and future generations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-02

Creator(s)

Guthrie, Franklin A. (Franklin Augustus), 1838-1913

Frank L. Talcott claims to have invented an attachment for battleship’s guns which will make it impossible for them to miss, and he hopes to speak with Theodore Roosevelt at his office to hear his criticism and advice regarding it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-26

Creator(s)

Talcott, Frank L.

In a rambling letter, Eugene Daucher expresses his admiration for Theodore Roosevelt, tells him about his life and his ideas to prevent flooding on rivers, and asks Roosevelt to connect him with philanthropic friends who can help him buy his own home.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-24

Creator(s)

Daucher, Eugene

Nils H. C. Pihl offers Theodore Roosevelt an interest in his invention of a new “silent projectile” type of ammunition, which he feels will revolutionize the world. Alfred D. Arundel, an engineer, has examined Pihl’s inventions and has not been able to find fault with them, although he could not join Pihl in the endeavor himself, as he had to return to England.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-26

Creator(s)

Pihl, Nils H. C. (Nils Hewick Charles), 1848-1922

Anna P. Haskins requests assistance from Theodore Roosevelt in promoting and protecting her invention, a dish washer. Additionally, she asks if he would consider publishing her story, “The mission of an Agate” in the Outlook.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-01

Creator(s)

Haskins, Anna P., 1862-1934

Norton B. Taylor has designed a projectile for Springfield rifles, and wonders if Theodore Roosevelt has an opinion as to its viability on the commercial market and its usefulness in hunting. Taylor has enclosed photographs of the projectile’s results. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-20

Creator(s)

Taylor, Norton B., 1860-1939