Your TR Source
Daniel J. Prewitt asks Vice President Roosevelt if his idea to keep rifles clean is worth getting a patent for.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-03-29
Joseph Deutsch criticizes a recent piece of legislation that, while aiming to provide greater protections for patent holders, has the unintended effect of making the United States government liable to pay potentially large sums of money for the upkeep of parts of its military infrastructure, and restricts it ability to develop government owned telegraph, telephone, or railroad services.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-08-02
A Republican elephant and Democratic donkey use a “Panama” machine as President Roosevelt—”engineer”—looks on. Arthur P. Gorman watches from afar.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-24
The United States Patent Office issued a patent for Cyrus S. Dean’s improvements in breech closures for ordnance. The specification describes the invention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-09
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary lets Ruth Rex know Roosevelt cannot advise her on this subject. The secretary shares that in his opinion, Rex should not send money for a patent unless she knows she will be able to make money off of it. He also suggests finding a friend to go in on the cost with her.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary tells B. H. Ocker that Roosevelt is not able to recommend a patent agent as Ocker requested.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-02-14
Thomas Edison has a case before Commissioner of Patents Allen and President Roosevelt would like every courtesy shown to Edison. The case should be decided on its merits but Allen should “personally and thoroughly investigate the case.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-11
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt wishes he would have had more time to see Grace Sanderson Thacher Putnam while he was in Rhode Island. He hopes her proposed patent will be accepted.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1897-06-08
John N. D. Brown reminds Theodore Roosevelt that he has written Roosevelt before offering a chance to invest in his railway construction invention. Now Brown has submitted his patent, has been in communication with the examiner, and can infer almost all his invention has passed. Roosevelt still has a chance to invest in patents in foreign countries and Brown is sending him copies of the patents, prints, and the specifications.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-14
Putnam Drew, who has previously interviewed Theodore Roosevelt, sends him a newly patented, skull-shaped cork skew to prevent accidental poisoning. He hopes Roosevelt will write about it in The Outlook and offers to stamp the periodical’s name on some for advertising.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-02
A. Rogers feels his patented device for helping surveyors would benefit the government and asks Theodore Roosevelt for help.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-10
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-07
William Miles reminds Theodore Roosevelt that he wrote to him about a canal lock during his presidency. He has another canal related invention that he asks Roosevelt to help him patent and present to the federal government. Miles does not have money to invest due to his poor health. He supposes that his invention is worth a considerable amount and offers Roosevelt a share of the profits.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-01
Charles J. Clark writes to Theodore Roosevelt about an idea he has had for a patent that involves “getting power out of a certain article” and describes his business and profit ideas. He asks Roosevelt to write him back so they can arrange a meeting.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-18
George Bullock encloses a patent for a bullet. Bullock and the patent owners would like to know what Theodore Roosevelt thinks of it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-20
Albert W. Kolle believes that he was defrauded out of patent money for a bomb shell invention and requests Theodore Roosevelt’s help to resolve the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-07-18
John D. Russ has invented a sight for a Springfield rifle, which he would like Theodore Roosevelt to see and test as soon as the patent clears through. If Russ includes a stamp, he asks the gentlemen of The Outlook to show Roosevelt the sight, then mail it back when he is finished.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-23
David Mendelson wants to apply for a patent for his invention of free electricity. Mendelson insists his invention will bring “prosperity, peace and plenty” to the people of the United States, especially during a time of natural resource conservation efforts. Mendelson asks Roosevelt for advice regarding getting a patent for his invention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-05-12
Emilie Christinet shares Roosevelt’s interest in reading battle accounts. However, he finds it difficult to view events clearly. He proposes projecting an image of the battlefield and using a magnet to move the armies. He asks Roosevelt to share and possibly patent his idea.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-25
Anson K. Cross developed a patent for an air purifying system that allows a submarine to stay submerged indefinitely. He asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s help in applying the method to submarines while his patent is delayed, preventing other nations from using it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-04-12