152

himself a job paying fifty dollars per month. His mother was pleased but still felt an

obligation to Tom for the money he had invested in the

―

invention.

‖

Few days later he

received a note from Tom:

Ham agreed to take his share of the two thousand dollars and once again made plans to

go to college. His combination can opener and corkscrew had saved the day!

****************************************************************

Notes:

Shortly after the above events, this notice was posted at the United States Patent Office:

Subsequent to authoring

―

Ham Estabrook's Can- Opener,

‖

George P. Wittlesey applied

for and was granted several patents between 1890 and 1905. They were not for

corkscrews or can openers.