16

The Stowell tool pictured at right is marked PAT. APPLIED

FOR. Fred O

‟

Learys

Corkscrews: 1000 Patented Ways to Open a

Bottle

pictures an example marked PAT JULY 28. 85. Neither

one has the rubber sleeve to protect the file and on both, the

file is wider than shown in the patent.

Stowell

‟

s intention for the rubber sleeve was

“

to prevent

dropping of the lead-powder on the paper, and also to

prevent soiling of the fingers when the instrument is used

for cutting, sharpening, or erasing...

”

He also suggests that

“

the entire blade and part of the handle may be covered...by

a sheath similar to that used for an ordinary eraser.

”