The collection is open for research.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Willis E. Franklin Patent, Ms1967-001, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
This collection was acquired by Newman Library prior to 1967.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Willis E. Franklin Patent was completed prior to February 2011. Additional description was completed in February 2011.
Lorenzo L. Langstroth created what is referred to as the "modern beehive" in 1851. Langstroth's beehives attached the frames to the top of the beehive leaving 3/8 inch between the walls and the core of the beehive. 3/8 of an inch is the perfect amount of space to keep bees from building comb. This design was said to also agitate the bees less.
No information could be found about Willis E. Franklin. Source:
"American Beekeeping History: The Bee Hive," http://outdoorplace.org/beekeeping/history1.htm.
This collection contains an 1872 certificate indicating the sale of a patent "Movable Comb Bee-Hives or "Improvements in Bee-Hives"" from L. L. Longstroth of Oxford, Ohio, to Willis E. Franklin of Concord, Campbell County, Virginia, for $10 on June 5th, 1872. The patent was obtained on October 5th, 1852, and later reissued on May 26th, 1863, and October 5th, 1866. On the patent is a 5 cent stamp with a portrait of George Washington.
The guide to the Willis E. Franklin Patent by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).