Today in Wheeling History: December 8 - Jac Grouan, Syrian immigrant and Wheeling resident inventor, receives patent for innovative cheese cutter (1908).
Jac Grouan exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of early 20th century immigrants in Wheeling, West Virginia. As a subject of the Sultan of Syria who made his home in Ohio County, Grouan contributed to Wheeling's diverse industrial landscape through his invention of an improved cheese cutter. His device, which became U.S. Patent #906,220 on December 8, 1908, was specifically designed for cutting Schweitzer (Swiss) and other rectangular cheeses. The invention featured an innovative system of rollers, adjustable plates, and a computing scale that allowed precise measurements based on price - a valuable tool for merchants. The machine could accommodate cheeses of varying widths and included a clever mechanism for advancing the cheese block. Grouan's attention to detail is evident in the patent's three detailed technical drawings and comprehensive description. His invention represented a practical solution for cheese merchants of the era, combining mechanical innovation with business practicality. The patent filing and subsequent approval demonstrate how immigrants like Grouan contributed to American innovation and commerce in the early 20th century through practical inventions that improved everyday business operations.
To learn more: Google Patents (https://shorturl.at/IsVel)
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office
Jac Grouan exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of early 20th century immigrants in Wheeling, West Virginia. As a subject of the Sultan of Syria who made his home in Ohio County, Grouan contributed to Wheeling's diverse industrial landscape through his invention of an improved cheese cutter. His device, which became U.S. Patent #906,220 on December 8, 1908, was specifically designed for cutting Schweitzer (Swiss) and other rectangular cheeses. The invention featured an innovative system of rollers, adjustable plates, and a computing scale that allowed precise measurements based on price - a valuable tool for merchants. The machine could accommodate cheeses of varying widths and included a clever mechanism for advancing the cheese block. Grouan's attention to detail is evident in the patent's three detailed technical drawings and comprehensive description. His invention represented a practical solution for cheese merchants of the era, combining mechanical innovation with business practicality. The patent filing and subsequent approval demonstrate how immigrants like Grouan contributed to American innovation and commerce in the early 20th century through practical inventions that improved everyday business operations.
To learn more: Google Patents (https://shorturl.at/IsVel)
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office
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