Patent Design

The Worlds Best Design for a Barbecue Stand

Vintagraph is not in the habit of handing out awards, but we proclaim this the World's Best Design for a Barbecue Stand. The illustration is from a 1933 patent application by William H. Alston of San Antonio, Texas. If you know of one in existence, please drop us a line. We would be willing to drive a great distance to buy pulled-pork from this pig. Oink.

Lighthouse Filling Station

Filed in 1926 and issued in 1928 this design patent by Robert E. Smith is for a filling station meant to look like a lighthouse.

Shell Service Station Design

A Shell service station design patented by Quality Oil founders Joe H. Glenn Jr. and Bert L. Bennett. The stations were rather small inside but served the purpose of drawing attention to the Shell brand. 1930. Invented by Joe H. Glenn Jr. and Bert L. Bennett.

Sieber Diner

A diner design by Arthur Sieber, who also designed the White Mana that debuted at the 1939 New York World's Fair as the "diner of the future." Filed in 1937 and issued in 1938.

Airplane Gas Station

This novelty building design for a "portable gasoline filling station booth" was filed and issued in 1930. The obviously aircraft-inspired facade was designed by Charles D. Vary.

Leroy Buffington skyscraper

Minneapolis native Leroy S. Buffington was awarded a patent in 1888 for iron-building construction. Because of this patent, Buffington claimed to be the father of the skyscraper.

The patents reads, in part: "My invention relates to fire-proof buildings composed chiefly of iron; and the objects of the invention are mainly, first, the construction of an iron building in a manner that will practically obviate undue expansion and contraction during the extremes of heat and cold; second, a novel construction and arrangement of the main structure and of the stairs and elevator shafts, whereby there is attained the necessary strength and stability, together with compactness and the utilization of the space to the best advantage; and third, an improved plan of floors, and means of bracing the iron beams in fire-proof floors in such structure."

Disney's Rocket to the Moon

This patent for a "Rocket Ship Amusement Apparatus" was awarded to Walter E. Disney in 1958. The patent was applied for in 1956. This patent describes the Rocket to the Moon attraction, which operated at Disneyland from 1955 to 1966. It was refurbished as Flight to the Moon from 1967 to 1975 and Mission to Mars from 1975 to 1992. Mission to Mars also operated at Walt Disney World.

The patent reads, in part:

It is a major object of the present invention to provide an amusement device which simultaneously accommodates a number of passengers in an enclosure simulating the interior of a rocket ship. A combination of coordinated sensory perceptible means are provided within this enclosure for realistically simulating a trip from earth to another planet.

Another object is to provide rocket ship amusement apparatus of the aforedescribed nature which is economical to operate, such apparatus requiring a minimum number of employees for a maximum number of passengers.

Yet another object is to provide rocket ship amusement apparatus of the aforedescribed nature which is completely safe and foolproof in operation.

This image is not for sale as a fine-art print.

Ward & Dickinson Diner

In the 1920s and 30s the Ward & Dickinson Co. built diner cars and sold them throughout the Great Lakes Region. A version of the diner body shown in this patent is still in operation as the Miss Port Henry Diner in Port Henry, N.Y. Designed by Charles A. Ward, the patent was applied for and issued in 1927.

Club House Design

This patent design by Nellie Renee Liddle is for a "Club House Front or the Like." It features reliefs of famous fairy tales along the front facade and even has a finely tailored rabbit peeking in the second story window. The design patent was filed in 1933 and issued in 1934.