Heat sensitive fire alarm invented by Anthony Iske (1831-1920). Patented by Iske on Aug. 19,1890.
Inside the wooden case, on alarm mechanism/movement, printed in black ink: "J.A. Neiss, Sr." There is also the key to wind the alarm, loose on the floor of the holder.
Anthony Iske was born in France and immigrated to the U.S. in 1847. He moved to Lancaster in 1853 and became an American citizen in 1858. Along with his son, Albert, he held over 200 patents. Most notable of his inventions was the first meat-slicing machine, a model of which is in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Heat Motor was designed to turn the energy held by heated water into rotational movement. Heating the water in the trough would cause the air in the submerged cylinders to rise. As the engine began to turn, the cylinders would rise above the water, the air inside would cool, and the cylinders would fall on the opposing side, adding to the circular motion of the engine.
Whisk with bone handle and wrought-iron beater. Iron forms a cucumber-shaped cage of 8 ribs, 4.75" long, set into a long ferrule fitted onto the bone handle and secured with a rivet. The 5.5" long handle is rounded but flattened, especially the last half of its length which is decorated with crosshatching. At midpoint, handle is decorated with a heavy score line. First half of handle is undecorated. Rivet near handle terminal.
Provenance
The minutes found in the Journal of Oct. 4, 1912 is a listing of "old utensils" given by Geo. W. Brown, printer from Lancaster, including bayonet, scabbard, old thimble, corn husker, egg beater.
Iron cage-like beate is strongly distorted with ribs that are collapsed toward center and misshapen in lenth. Iron has scattered corrosion and pitting. Bone has soil and minor stains.
Tiny box with fitted lid, light cardboard covered in glossy white paper. Printed on lid top in blue is: "LOUIS WEBER & SON / GOLDSMITHS & SILVERSMITHS / 15-17 NO. QUEEN ST. / LANCASTER, PENNA." Above this is a shield with spread eagle and a banner underneath with "ESTABLISHED 19??".
Louis Weber was in the jewelry business on N. Queen St. since the 19th century. It was at 165 N. Queen that his son George R. Weber apparently took over the business and took on a new name -- Louis Weber & Son. This was the listing in the 1905-06 City Directory. By the next year in the 1907-08 Directory, the business was relocated to 15-17 N. Queen Street, the address printed on the box lid.
White linen damask tablecloth. Lengthwise edges are selvedges; widths finished with a 1/8-inch handsitiched hem. Two large medallions with urns on top. Large oval angled on each corner with a flower-filled urn. Wide border of ovals with alternate unrs and flower displays. Embroidered on one corner of cloth is 'HLJ' monogram with Johnston crest of arm and fist with dagger.
Gavel with turned wooden handle and turned ivory head. Ebonized handle has three vase turnings near middle and swell at handle end with acorn terminal. Handle is fitted into hole in side of ivory head. Gavel belonged to General Daniel B. Strickler.
