Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent Of The Day.
On this day in 1904, Louis Larson was granted U.S. Patent No. 756,244 for a GLASS BOTTOM BOAT.
In a glass-bottom boat characterized by this invention the glass or transparent plate in the bottom of the boat is preferably covered by an inclosure and one or more mirrors are arranged at the top of the inclosure in such manner that the bottom of a lake or river or other body of water may be seen and carefully examined by observing the reflection in any one of said mirrors. Thus instead of looking downward and directly through the glass bottom of the boat the observer is allowed to sit upright in the boat and look straight ahead into one of the reflecting- mirrors. Means are provided for raising and lowering the top of the inclosure, so as to position the mirrors at the right height, and further means are provided for preventing the breath of the observer from darkening the surface of the mirror into which he is looking. The boat is also provided with a pair of laterally-extending wings, which shade the water in the vicinity of the boat and which makes it possible to see to a greater depth in the water than without them. Preferably these wings are of such character as to be readily folded back against the side of the boat when not in use. An electric lamp is also provided which can be lowered into the water, so as to illuminate the immediate vicinity of the glass bottom.
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