Lyman S. Colburn was a manufacturer of rolling window blinds who developed and patented machinery for his own use. His machines worked well and so he began manufacturing the machinery. The only window-blind patent we have found that was granted to L. S. Colburn was from 1868. We have 1880 and 1889 data points confirming the manufacture of his machines.
Information Sources
- Lyman S. Colburn of Oberlin, OH, was granted an 1868 patent for a windowblind-slat machine. The patent was not assigned. Colburn also received an 1863 patent for a butter churn.
- Article in the October 1880 issue of Manufacturer & Builder, on L. S. Colburn's Improved Boring and Spacing Machine.
- Article in the May 1889 issue of "The Wood-Worker" for this maker's "relishing, routing and boring machines". "This tool is especially designed for relishing blind rails and cutting the recess for the blind rod". The illustrated machine looks to be an older (i.e., before 1889) but elegant design.