Today in 1878, US Patent 200744 A was issued, an invention of Thomas Millee, for his “Improvement in Ale or Beer Measures.” There’s no Abstract, but in the description Millee explains that the “object of my invention is to provide a ready and convenient means of ascertaining the quantity of liquor in the measure, including that portion which is contained in the form of froth or foam; and in order to accomplish this object I cover or inclose the outlet from the interior of the measure to the measuring tube, by soldering strips of metal to the side and bottom of the measure at the point where the tube connects therewith, so as to form a separate compartment at the base of such tube on the inside of the measure above the bottom, which compartment has small apertures leading’ into it, arranged so that the foam or froth will not be driven against or through them into this compartment when the liquor is drawn or poured into the measure, all of which will more clearly appear by the drawings and description of the different parts.”
Beer In Ads #1477: The Health Of The Farmer
Wednesday’s ad is another one for Anheuser-Busch’s “Malt-Nutrine,” also from 1908. Malt-Nutrine was promoted not as a non-alcoholic beer, but as a “pure malt tonic” and sold by druggists and grocers. “The Health of the Farmer” that the ad is touting comes from Malt-Nutrine containing “the combined juices of germinated barley and selected Saazer Hops.” Is that all? Hell, no. “Every bottle is charged with the strength and glory of the golden grain. Its aroma is the fragrance of the clinging hop vine and its living vigor is the cream of ripened barley. It infuses life into the blood — sustains all the vital powers and to the feeble, aged and run down it is a veritable restorer of recreative and soothing potency.”
Patent No. 1054119A: Apparatus For Picking Hops
Today in 1913, US Patent 1054551 A was issued, an invention of Emil Clemens Horst, for his “Apparatus For Picking Hops,” and his second patent to be issued today. There’s no Abstract, but the description states he’s “devised a complete system for mechanically picking hops from the vines and separating them from the leaves and stems, with which they are co-mingled and delivering them to dryers by machinery.”
Patent No. 1054551A: Method Of Picking Hops
Today in 1913, US Patent 1054551 A was issued, an invention of Emil Clemens Horst, for his “Method of Picking Hops.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that the “invention comprises a method of picking hops and [he has] disclosed in the accompanying drawings apparatus by which my method may be performed.”
To the attainment of the desirable results which will be hereinafter more particularly described, the method which I prefer to employ as comprehended in the scope of this application is as follows: First: Passing the hop vines over and in contact with suit able picker mechanism. Second: Depositing the hops by gravity into a suitable conveyer by means of which they’re carried to an inclined cylindrical separator. Third: Subjecting any clusters to a further separating action, then causing the hop stems and trash to be elevated and repassed through the separating cylinder just de scribed. Fourth: Finally conveying the hops to the dry house from the combined cleaning mechanism.
Beer In Ads #1476: The Bloom Of Health
Tuesday’s ad is for Anheuser-Busch’s “Malt-Nutrine,” from 1908. Malt-Nutrine was promoted not as a non-alcoholic beer, but as a “pure malt tonic” and sold by druggists and grocers. “The Bloom of Health” that the ad refers to apparently only “blossoms” if you have enough “life-giving blood.” Luckily, Malt-Nutrine is “a blood and strength maker.” Here’s the best bit: “Every drop of it is alive with the health-bringing juices of barley and the vigorous tonic powers of imported Saazer Hops.” You’ll feel good enough to play golf or plow a field.
Patent No. 447131A: Process Of Making Malt Liquor
Today in 1891, US Patent 447131 A was issued, an invention of John Griffiths, for his “Process of Making Malt Liquor.” There’s no Abstract, but the description very generally states that the “invention relates to an improvement in the art of making malt liquors by which the quality of the liquor is improved,the cost of production reduced, a considerable saving effected in the time and appliances heretofore required, and a consequent gain realized in the capacity of a brewery.”
Beer In Ads #1475: The Wise Trainer Of Athletes
Monday’s ad is another one for Budweiser, this one from 1910. The headline is “The Wise Trainer of Athletes,” but that’s just the start. It continues. “The Wise Trainer of Athletes Knows that the moderate use of a mild stimulant is beneficial to his charges. The vast majority of such men recommend Budweiser Because it is nourishing and refreshing and quickly relieves the tired feeling that may result from physical activity.” My son Porter just joined his middle school’s track team, but I think I’ll hold off on adding beer to his workout regime, at least for now.
Patent No. 2926087A: Method Of Carbonating A Malt Beverage
Today in 1960, US Patent 2926087 A was issued, an invention of Frank Otto Rickers, assigned to the George Wiedemann Brewing Co, for his “Method of Carbonating a Malt Beverage.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that the “one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a method for carbonating beer at a very much more rapid rate than has been possible heretofore.”
Beer In Ads #1474: A Congenial Friend, And A Cool, Refreshing Bottle
Sunday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1913. Showing an idyllic suburban porch setting, with a tray of beer bottles, and this question. “Where’s more real enjoyment? The shady home-porch, a comfortable chair, a good cigar or pipe, a congenial friend, and a cool, refreshing bottle of Budweiser.” Apparently, in 1913, the St’ Louis brewery was producing 3 million bottles each week. But I wonder how many people in 1913, well before the post-war suburban boom that occurred after 1945, even had a porch like this one?
Patent No. 2497870A: Container Closure
Today in 1950, US Patent 2497870 A was issued, an invention of Stanley W. Dennis, assigned to the Crown Cork & Seal Co., for his “Container Closure.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that the “The present invention relates to closures.” Happily, they expound upon that somewhat:
More particularly, the closure of the present invention is an improvement on closures of the type shown, described and claimed in a number of prior patents to G. W. Booth, owned by the assignee of the present application, such as Patents 1,956,209, Reissue 19,422, 1,956,213, 1,956,214, 1,956,215 and 1,956,217. Certain features of the invention, however, as regards cap structures, have utility and may be used in connection with caps of other types, as will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
