1887: Octopus chatelaine


Filed under Humor and Observations
To all whom it may concern –
Be it known that I, JAS. ALEXANDER WILLIAMS, 0f Fredonia, in the county of San Saba and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal Traps; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification.
My invention relates to an improvement in animal-traps; and it consists in the combination of a suitable frame upon which a revolver or pistol is secured, a treadle which is secured to the front end of this frame, and a suitable spring and levers, by which the fire arm is discharged when the animal steps upon the treadle.
The object of my invention is to provide a means by which animals which burrow in the ground can be destroyed, and which trap will give an alarm each time that it goes off, so that it can be reset.
The accompanying drawing represents the side elevation of my invention complete.
This invention may also be used in connection with a door or window, so as to kill any person or thing opening the door or window to which it is attached.
I am aware that burglar-alarms of various kinds have been used, and which have been connected to windows and doors in such a manner that the’opening of the window or door causes a pressure upon a lever which discharges a fire-arm; but in no case have the parts been arranged and combined as here shown and described.
Filed under Animals, Humor and Observations
I am already tired. Cons are a sensory overload as you are surrounded by fund people, awesome costumes, products, guests, etc. all while walking on concrete floors for 16 hours. It starts like an awesome stroll and turns into the Bataan Death March. In any case, my wife and I are at booth 319 and we are selling well and having fun. Here are some pictures of folks, mostly from my phone camera. Enjoy!
Filed under Humor and Observations
“Image with consent of the descendants of Robert Hasler.
“The Darby Steam-Digger, a light traction engine, was invented circa 1879 by farmer Thomas Darby and built at Lodge Farm Pleshey, near Chelmsford in Essex, England. Robert Hasler, seen driving the Digger, helped to build this first prototype.
“In effect the machine was an early tractor designed mainly for ploughing, and could accomplish 1-acre (4,000 m2) an hour (1 m²/s) to a maximum depth of 14 inches (360 mm). This first digger was constructed on pedestrian principles and had six “feet” and really did walk over the fields. Unfortunately it jumped too much to be really successful. The digger was later modified to have wheels in place of the legs.”
Filed under Humor and Observations
Steampunk versions of Star Wars. In an earlier post I already had steampunk AT-AT and other vehicles, so this one I focus more on other types. I hope you enjoy them!
Filed under Humor and Observations
Zebra Carriages – 1890s all the Rage
c.1890s-> : Zebra Carriages
Filed under Humor and Observations
Learning to Drive a Car in 1898
1898: How to Become a Driver
Source: Bibliotheque Nationale de France
Through Retronaut
Filed under Humor and Observations
Filed under Humor and Observations