Louis Gathmann Collection

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This collection consists of three patents issued to Louis Gathmann.

Louis Gathmann was an engineer and inventor who held numerous patents in many different fields. Initially, Gathmann created equipment for screening and sifting wheat and flour and held a number of patents for these devices. In the 1880s, Gathmann built three astronomical observatories in the Chicago area and was working on a new type of telescope lens. His Chicago home also included a domed observatory tower. Gathmann received a patent in the 1890s based on his research in weather modification. Gathmann later became interested in ordnance development and in 1901 invented the Gathmann Gunn, an 18 inch gun to be mounted on ships that was designed to send large charges of high explosives at water level. The gun was tested at the Government Proving Ground at Sandy Hook but was rejected by the U.S. military. In 1916, Gathmann invented a new type of battleship armor based on the use of air chambers and shock absorbers. Gathmann also had an interest in aviation and proposed an idea for a type of helicopter that he called an "Aero Locomotive" in the early 1900s. It is unclear if a patent was ever sought or issued for this invention. In 1904, Gathmann earned a patent in Great Britain for a propeller for flying machines. Gathmann died in June 1917.

Identifier

NASM.XXXX.1095

Creator

Gathmann, Louis

Date

1887-1907

Provenance

Unknown - found in collection, unknown, unknown, NASM.XXXX.1095

Extent

0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of three patents issued to Louis Gathmann in Great Britain. The first, number 5,150, was issued on April 13, 1886 for an invention for "improvements in grain driers." The second patent, issued for invention for "improvements in machines for bending or coiling metal bars" is numbered 14,128 and dated October 2, 1888. The third patent, dated March 6, 1904, is numbered 18,560 and was issued for the invention of "improvements in air propellers for flying machines." The collection also contains two 1907 memoranda on applying for patents in Great Britain as well as the top portion of a piece of Gathmann's personal stationery which includes his name and address along with an illustration of his home in Chicago.

Arrangement note

Arranged at item level.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Citation

Louis Gathmann Collection, NASM.XXXX.1095, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics
Propulsion systems
Patents

Type

Collection descriptions
Archival materials

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