Emmett Lee Dickinson:  the Poet Inventor

Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) was more than America's greatest poet.  Dubbed "The Wizard of Washerst," Dickinson was also quite an inventor!  From candy corn to the office stapler, Dickinson invented many items that greatly influenced life in the United States and around the world.  Only Thomas Edison comes close to the level of work produced by Dickinson as an inventor.  Dickinson was so prolific in both his poetry and in his work as an inventor that Bill Gates once noted, "no other has influenced so many as has Emmett Lee Dickinson."  It's true!  Dickinson has influenced every century of mankind -- except those before he was born.

Mechanized Corn Planter

Dickinson invented the mechanized corn planter in 1835 but was dismayed to learn that such a patent had been granted to Henry Blair in 1834.

Office Stapler

Dickinson's patent for the office stapler was rejected in 1842, having been beaten by almost one full year by Samuel Slocum with his 1841 design.

Corn Chowder and Candy Corn

Dickinson invented corn chowder and candy corn.  For a short time in the 1970s and 80s, the Campbell Soup Company offered "Candy Corn Chowder" as a tribute to Dickinson.

Gastro-Ocular Correlation Modulator

In 1856 Dickinson received a patent for the Gastro-Ocular Correlation Modulator, a device used to see if someone's eyes are, in fact, bigger than his stomach.  The use of the apparatus is particularly prevalent on Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season.

Easter Grass

Dickinson invented what was to become Easter grass when he delivered eggs for his  grandfather's egg delivery business, and he'd earn a penny for every dozen eggs  delivered with no breakage.  Soon, Washerst was home to the Dickinson Egg Grass Factory.  The factory almost closed when the egg carton was invented by Joseph Coyle.  However, Dickinson had the brilliant idea of marketing the grass for  Easter baskets -- and the factory has been the world's leading manufacturer of  Easter grass ever since!   The factory's name was later changed to the Dickinson Easter Grass Factory, and It is one of the top employers in Washerst.

"You Are Here"

Dickinson also invented the "YOU ARE HERE" symbol on a  floor plan map and introduced it at the Dickinson Egg Grass Factory.  However,  when he posted the first directory of the factory, the indicators read, "YOU ARE
IN THIS LOCATION."  It wasn't until several years later that he re-worded the
phrase to "YOU ARE HERE."

Other Inventions

Other inventions of Dickinson's include the 12-ounce cup, the bus stop, and Canadian hockey (not U.S. hockey).

The Wood Turning Lathe

One of Dickinson's most significant inventions was the wood turning lathe.  To honor his work with wood and wood turning lathes, the National Newel Post Museum in Kansas  City, Missouri, relocated to Washerst, Pennsylvania in 1932 and renamed itself the Washerst Newel Post Museum.

The "Typo-Writer"

Although Dickinson did not invent the typewriter, he is the one who named it.

Dickinson's father-in-law Eliphalet Remington invented the machine to be used "for the impressing or transcribing of letters singly or progressively one after another on a piece of paper."  Remington was going to call his invention the “inked letter thumper,” but Dickinson suggested that he call it the “typo-writer.”  

The top row of keys included the word "Qwerty," the name of Dickinson's daughter and Mr. Remington's grand-daughter, Qwerty Jean Dickinson.

Crossword Puzzle Printer

One of Dickinson's older brothers, Lucas Dickinson, invented the first crossword puzzle printing machines.  His original machine is on display at the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op laundrmat on Dickinson Boulevard).

Emmett Lee Dickinson helped program early puzzles, and to this day, many crossword puzzles include Dickinsonian words and phrases.  Some examples:

1) 5-letter word:  Eternal valley?
2) 7-letter word:  Rite that starts with "fun"!
3) 4-letter word:  An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, or emotional disorder, often in the neck.
4) 9-letter word: Chamber made.

The answers are to the right.

1) Death; 2) Funeral; 3) Pain; 4) Sepulchre

Shower Cap

One of Dickinson's older sisters, Polly Esther Dickinson, invented "a headcovering to wear in the shower."  She called her invention "the Shower Skullcap."  It was Emmett Lee who shortened the name to the "Shower Cap."

Laundry Basket

Dickinson invented the laundry basket on wheels.  One of his original basket on wheels (pictured at the left) is on display at the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum (above the coin-op Laundromat on Dickinson Boulevard).

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Other Inventions

Emmett Lee Dickinson also invented bleacher seating, sliced bread, and novelty coffee mugs.  His first novelty mug included the line, "Because I could not stop for Decaf."

The Marching Band

Emmett Lee Dickinson invented the Marching Band.  Early in his career as a poet, Dickinson would recite poetry at half-time shows at college football games.  He always thought more drama was needed with his recitations, so he invited the concert band from Harvard Junior College to play behind him.  Later, the band began presenting marching formations, and the modern day marching band evolved.  

Above:  The Marching Poets from Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College.

Above: A homecoming poster from the 1820 Princeton vs. Bryn Mawr football game where Dickinson recited poetry.

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