CUMBERLAND — A new book by Cumberland resident Andrew Sparber, “Allegany County’s Railroad Inventions,” examines patents from 1839 to 1923.
In the beginning years of the railroad, Allegany County’s inventors were busy trying to come up with solutions to make steam-driven machines safer and more reliable, according to Sparber. Increased speeds and heavier cars meant more risk for derailments and worker deaths.
Cumberland, Sparber said, was a hub for several railroads and inventors were assisted by the numerous foundries found in the county.
“Success meant being awarded a patent by the U.S. patent and Trademark Office located in Washington, D.C.,” Sparber said.
He was able to identify 52 patents for railroad inventions from 1839 to 1923 and make them available for readers to connect online to the actual technical descriptions and drawings found in Google Patents.
“Allegany County’s Railroad Inventions” and Sparber’s other offerings are available in local book stores, Amazon books and from the author.
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