PATENT
[Documentary Artifact]

Accession Number: 2015.21.3

Physical Description: U.S. Patent Number 138,707, issued to Henry T. Stith (1839-1916) of Peoria, Kansas on May 6, 1873 for "Improvement in Traction Wheels." Multiple sheets bound together with four grommets down left edge. Henry Thomas Stith (1839-1916). Stith was a member of Company D of the 16th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War, and he later settled with his family in Ottawa sometime after 1865. While his primary profession was farming, he was also a traveling entertainer, politician, and inventor. Stith's most noted invention was the caterpillar-type of elliptical traction wheel with an endless supporting track. He received patents for his traction wheel designs in 1873, 1880, and 1900. In addition to his traction wheels, Stith also invented an anti-friction journal box using roller bearings, patented in 1867, as well as a typewriter and a rat trap.

History of Object: Henry Thomas Stith (1839-1916) was born near Celina, Tennessee, and by the 1850 U.S. Census the family had moved to Jackson, Tennessee. By the 1860 Census the family had moved to Menard, Illinois, and Henry's profession was listed as "showman" (he was an accomplished ventriloquist and slight-of-hand artist). In 1863 he joined Company D of the 16th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and he mustered out in 1865. In 1864 he also married Susan J. Burney (1845-1936). The 1865 Kansas State Census lists them as residents of Peoria. They later moved to Ottawa, and they remained in Franklin County for the remainder of Henry's life. His primary profession was farming; his farm in Franklin County eventually grew to 1,000 acres and he was known locally as the "Corn King." He supplemented his farm income by working as a traveling entertainer during the lean years. He was also a politician and an avid inventor. Stith's most noted invention was the caterpillar-type of elipitical traction wheel with an endless supporting track. Stith reported first having the idea for his traction wheel in 1851, when, as an eleven year old boy in Tennessee, he was watching a black snake move across the the ground. He received patents for his traction wheel designs in 1873, 1880, and 1900. He fitted his traction wheel to various vehicles, including a bicyle and a horse-drawn street car. Caterpillar wheels saw wider use later as gas-powered vehicles became more widespread. In 1904, California tractor-maker Benjamin Holt patented a similar wheel for use on farm equipment, and in 1916 the British military applied the concept of caterpillar wheels to the first military tanks. According to his family, Stith contemplated legal action against Holt but never pursued it. In addition to his traction wheels, Stith also invented an anti-friction journal box using roller bearings, patented in 1867, as well as a typewriter, and a rat trap. A note on the back of 2015.21.6 reads, "The patent papers. Uncle Leon got them from Washington years ago. He gave them to Grandma, and when she died, Aunt Lola kept them. When she passed away, Raymond gave them to Mother." Leon (1889-1987) and Lola (1868-?) were two of Henry Thomas Stith's seven children. The donors are his granddaughter and great-grandson.

Date: 1873

Dimensions (in cm): 28.00 (H) 19.60 (W)

Marks/Inscriptions: [below vignette] M. Parker Eng, Washington, D.C. //

Index Terms

Associations and Subjects

Origin, Place of: Washington (D.C.)
Use, Place of: Peoria (Kan.)
Theme/topic: Patents
Use, Place of: Franklin County (Kan.)
Theme/topic: Inventors
Business / Organization: United States. Patent Office.
Theme/topic: Inventions
Individual: Stith, Henry Thomas, 1839-1916
Business / Organization: M. Parker

Creators and Contributors

M. Parker
United States. Patent Office.
Stith, Henry Thomas

Status: Cataloged

For more information, please contact our museum staff.