Antique Patent Nov

I have an old Kodak tripod can not find much information about. This is the label on the top of the No. 1 Kodak tripod?

I can not find much information on this tripod. It is built of metal with an aluminum cover, perhaps. It reads as follows: 1-Tripod Kodak Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester NY, USA Pat August 24 97 31 October 11 November 21 11 I think the dates 1897 and 1911 are grateful if someone could give me advice in that the tripod was in fact the dates of the patents are not necessarily the dates of production. I was able to find the number of first patent date of 1897 as 588 552 for "tripod Brownell" Kodak. I was not able to investigate on the other two dates. After using the patent searching Google (I wish I had known this before), I was able to find the other two patents based on the dates on top of the tripod.

His assessment that "97" and "11" represents "1897" and "1911" is correct. If you are curious enough and time, finding information on patents Google patent search, link below. Also, try to connect to other patents which cite the two original patents, which should provide clues to production dates. Unlike optical cameras, most tripods are not no serial numbers and are therefore difficult to date (in a few years at best) with no more documentaion. Seriously, I suggest you contact Kodak and ask questions of production dates. Hopefully, their records will be maintained and there is someone who is willing to help. Given the climate economic climate, you can not get an answer, but it's worth it. Of course, the tripod not made before the last date of the patent. In general, any object with a patent date is most likely within the patent (s) has (have) in place. IIRC, who was 17 in 1911 - as might be willing to bet your camera was probably made in the course of 1910 or the first half of 1920. ---- ---- Additional comments often products that are not changed for many years are dated the patent after the patent expires they printed. This was the basis for my suggestion you are looking for other patent citations referring to the former. The dates of subsequent patents which are not recorded on the tripod you help to estimate a date by which it was made.