George Alvin Wood

George A. Wood invented an unusual pair of handcuffs on March 18, 1913 (1,056,079), These were chain handcuffs (leg irons were also made).  This was not his only invention. In 1922 he received two patents for police traffic posts. Wood was born in New York in 1861 or 1863. By 1886 he was living in Elmira, New York. While a prison guard prior to 1886, he joined the newly formed Elmira Police Department on July 12, 1886. By 1912 he had risen to detective and by 1917 to detective sergeant.  His police experience must certainly led to his patents for police equipment.  Wood died on February 18, 1942.

Matt

Very interesting, Matt.

Here's a news article about Wood's invention.

Thank you Joe, I had not seen this.

Matt

Sorry that the top of the article got cut off.

It reads:

"Elmiran Invents..."

Elmira, N.Y.   (March 21, 1913)

That was an interesting article submitted by Joe Fox and it mentions a chain come along that sounds like the L. Brown nipper of March 19, 1895.

Anyone else out there have any thoughts on this?

Spencer