Davis & Kidder medical magneto machine

Object Details

Description (Brief): Ari Davis (ca. 1811-1855) was a skilled American craftsman who received two patents in 1854. One (#10,788 of April 18) described a machine for producing wooden boxes with metal-reinforced dovetail corners. The other (#11,415 of August 1) described a magneto-electric machine. While this second patent was still in process, Davis sold the rights to both patents to Walter Kidder, a physician in Lowell, Massachusetts, allegedly for $4000. Advertisements for DAVIS’ (later DAVIS & KIDDER’S) PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE, FOR NERVOUS DISEASES were soon to be seen. By 1857, the business was in the hands of William H. Burnap (b. 1825), also of Lowell. In his book, The Improved Magneto-Electric Machine for Nervous Diseases (Lowell?, 1857), Burnap claimed that the improved Davis & Kidder machine was “widely known as the best article in use, with ten thousand units having been sold in 1856.” As there were counterfeit machines on the market, buyers should observe “that all genuine machines are enclosed in a brass-cornered (patent also) box.”; This example is in a wood box with brass corners and ivory handle. The paper label is marked “DAVIS & KIDDER’S / PATENT MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINE / FOR NERVOUS DISEASES” and “PATENTED AUG. 1, 1854” with “W. H. Burnap” in ink.
Location: Currently not on view

Object Name: Magneto Electric Machine; magneto generator
Other Terms: Magneto Electric Machine; Electromagnetic Devices; Magnetic Devices; Electromagnetic Devices

Measurements: overall: 4 1/2 in x 4 1/2 in x 10 in; 11.43 cm x 11.43 cm x 25.4 cm