30

On May 14, 1921, a John Henry Miller of Baltimore applied for a U. S. patent for a

“

Building Structure.

”

His invention was a structure

“

adapted for use as a moving

picture theater...with special reference to the orchestra floor...seating an

increased number of patrons...affording standing room.

”

Was this the same John Henry Miller who invented an Illuminated Picture

Frame, a Table Crumber, and a Corkscrew? The signature on the

“

Building

Structure

”

patent is in script whereas the later patents are in block letters. I

believe it could be the same person based on this copy from the August 12, 1958

edition of the

Baltimore Sun

:

Mr. Miller was born in Washington, one of three sons of the late Charles

and Katherine Menges Miller. He and his brother, Frederick, opened a

restaurant in 1905 and also operated the old Leader Theater, one of the

first movie houses constructed on modern lines.