First wrench was patented this day - This Day in Patent History

PatentYogi_This Day in Patent History_Aug 17

On August 17, 1835, Solymon Merrick of Springfield, Massachusetts patented the first wrench.

The wrench typology is inspired by typologies of prehistoric stone tools. Merrick’s patent was issued over two million years after the idea of wrench was first born.

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The wrench basically includes notches at the mouth for gripping. The wrench is pulled at a right angle to the axes of the lever-action and the bolt or nut.

Image Credit: Jokideo
Image Credit: Jokideo

Charles Moncky invented the monkey wrench around 1858. Moncky’s wrench was named using a purposeful misspelling of his name.

Tweedy_and_Popp_-_hand-forged_adjustable_wrench
Image Credit: Wikipedia

Then, Jack Johnson, world’s first African American heavyweight champion patented a wrench (U.S.patent#1,413,121) in 1922.
In 2015, there was a controversy when it was circulated on social media via viral picture-sharing that ack Johnson invented and patented the wrench and the term “monkey” was applied to it as a derogatory name for black people. As it turns out, it was a hoax.

Patent Information
Publication number: US 9030X
Patent Title: Wrench
Publication date: 17 Aug

US9030X