Four patents in one day...for a man who's learned how to smooth things out.

Isaac Fischer of Springfield received four patents on this day in 1834. What required so much protection? Sandpaper.

Fischer had patented sandpaper and his process for making it. Primitive sandpaper had been used as far back as 13th century China, with varying degrees of success. Some versions were made of crushed shells, sand and seeds, some used shark skin, and still others used glass to create an abrasive surface for smoothing.

Fischer's method helped to perfect adhering sand to paper or wood. Fischer's sandpaper, however, was not perfect, and was prone to falling apart if it got wet.

The Vermont Book Of Days photo.

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