Barnard L. Ward

We know that Barnard L. Ward of Ottumwa, Iowa was issued a patent (885,811) on April 28, 1908 for a "Manacle", which we would refer to as a nipper. Prior to that patent he was issued two other patents in 1907, one on April 16th. (850,409) and one on July 2nd. (858,492). Both of these patents were for "Shelf Tongs", long handled tongs for retrieving small cans or other items from a high shelf.  Mr. Ward seemed obsessed with grabbing things.  This may be because according to the 1910 census he was a grocery salesman. But he was more than that. The 1907-08 Ottumwa city directory lists him as Ward B L Co. (B L Ward, G L White) novelty manufacturers.

Matt

Patent design

POTUS and Pussy comes to mind