Life indicator for coffins patent, 1882 C024 / 3601
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Life indicator for coffins patent, 1882 C024 / 3601
Life indicator for coffins patent, 1882. Artwork of a device designed by John Krichbaum to save a person accidentally buried alive. The person would rotate a set of handles connected to a periscope like device while a dial visible above the surface revealed the movement. A more forceful upwards push allowed air to enter the coffin. Such safety coffins were a common invention at the time owing to a fear of unintentional live burial. There are no known reports of such devices actually saving an accidentally buried person
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Media ID 10849644
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1882 Burial Buried Coffin Dead Design Designs Device Diagram Drawing Engineering Invention Machine Mechanical Patent Vintage
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable invention from 1882: the Life Indicator for Coffins patent. Designed by John Krichbaum, this device aimed to prevent the horrifying possibility of accidental live burials. The artwork depicts a mechanical contraption consisting of handles connected to a periscope-like apparatus, allowing the buried person to signal their presence above ground. The ingenious mechanism enabled individuals trapped inside coffins to rotate the handles, while an exposed dial revealed their movements. By exerting more force on the handles, air could enter the coffin, providing much-needed ventilation in dire circumstances. During that era, safety coffins were prevalent inventions due to widespread fears of unintentional live burial. Although numerous designs emerged during this time period, there are no documented cases where such devices successfully saved an accidentally buried person's life. Nevertheless, this historical artifact serves as a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of technological advancements. As we gaze upon this vintage illustration with curiosity and awe, it reminds us of past anxieties surrounding premature burial and highlights how far we have come in ensuring proper procedures for determining death. This piece is not just an intriguing glimpse into 19th-century engineering but also serves as a poignant reminder of our collective determination to protect human life even under extraordinary circumstances.
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