Charles B. Brooks (1865–1956) was an American inventor. Born in Virginia in 1865, by the 1890s he was a resident of Newark, New Jersey. Besides inventing, Brooks was a porter for the Pullman Palace Car Company.[1] Unlike other sweepers at that time (1890s), Brooks’ sweeper was the first self-propelled street sweeping truck.[2] His design had revolving brushes attached to the front fender, and the brushes were interchangeable so that when snow fell, scrapers could be attached for snow removal.[2] He received a patent for his invention on March 17, 1896 (US Patent #556,711).[3] A few months later, on May 12, 1896, he patented a dust-proof collection bag for the street sweeper (US Patent #560,154).[4]
Although little information is available about his life, we do know that funding for the production for his sweeper was provided by George M. Hallstead and Plummer S. Page.[5] The production took place in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where each sweeper was priced at around $2,000.[5] It proved to be so successful that the Pennsylvania state government gave a $100,000 contract to the manufacturing company.[5] The maintenance superintendent of Buffalo, New York, was so impressed with Brook's design that he adopted the model for his city.[5]
Brooks also received a third patent for what he called a "ticket punch" on October 31, 1893 (US Patent #507,672), an early example of a paper punch,[4] unique for its time because unlike hole punchers of today, his had a built-in receptacle to catch the round pieces of waste paper there and prevents littering.[2]
^ abcD'Ambrosio, Brian. From Football to Fig Newtons: 76 American Inventors and The Inventions You Know by Heart (self-pub., Lulu.com, 2011), p.25.
^Foy, David M. Great Discoveries and Inventions by African-Americans, (Bloomington, IN: Authorhouse, 2012), p.83.
^ abWilson, Donald and Jane Wilson, The Pride of African American History: Inventors, Scientists, Physicians, Engineers: Featuring Many Outstanding African Americans and More Than 1,000 African American Inventions Verified by U.S. Patent Numbers (Birmingham, MI: DCW Publishing, 2003), p.36.
^ abcdHelton, “Brooks, Charles B. (1865- ?),” Blackpast.org.
December 15, 2023
charles, brooks, 1865, 1956, american, inventor, born, virginia, 1865, 1890s, resident, newark, jersey, besides, inventing, brooks, porter, pullman, palace, company, unlike, other, sweepers, that, time, 1890s, brooks, sweeper, first, self, propelled, street, s. Charles B Brooks 1865 1956 was an American inventor Born in Virginia in 1865 by the 1890s he was a resident of Newark New Jersey Besides inventing Brooks was a porter for the Pullman Palace Car Company 1 Unlike other sweepers at that time 1890s Brooks sweeper was the first self propelled street sweeping truck 2 His design had revolving brushes attached to the front fender and the brushes were interchangeable so that when snow fell scrapers could be attached for snow removal 2 He received a patent for his invention on March 17 1896 US Patent 556 711 3 A few months later on May 12 1896 he patented a dust proof collection bag for the street sweeper US Patent 560 154 4 Although little information is available about his life we do know that funding for the production for his sweeper was provided by George M Hallstead and Plummer S Page 5 The production took place in Scranton Pennsylvania where each sweeper was priced at around 2 000 5 It proved to be so successful that the Pennsylvania state government gave a 100 000 contract to the manufacturing company 5 The maintenance superintendent of Buffalo New York was so impressed with Brook s design that he adopted the model for his city 5 Brooks also received a third patent for what he called a ticket punch on October 31 1893 US Patent 507 672 an early example of a paper punch 4 unique for its time because unlike hole punchers of today his had a built in receptacle to catch the round pieces of waste paper there and prevents littering 2 References edit Helton Daniel Brooks Charles B 1865 Blackpast org Retrieved May 5 2018 http www blackpast org aah brooks charles b 1865 a b c D Ambrosio Brian From Football to Fig Newtons 76 American Inventors and The Inventions You Know by Heart self pub Lulu com 2011 p 25 Foy David M Great Discoveries and Inventions by African Americans Bloomington IN Authorhouse 2012 p 83 a b Wilson Donald and Jane Wilson The Pride of African American History Inventors Scientists Physicians Engineers Featuring Many Outstanding African Americans and More Than 1 000 African American Inventions Verified by U S Patent Numbers Birmingham MI DCW Publishing 2003 p 36 a b c d Helton Brooks Charles B 1865 Blackpast org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charles B Brooks amp oldid 1188160107, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
