It’s time once again to utilize some of the excellent material contributed by local historical researcher Kevin Savick. And this time the topic is based on local inventors.

Back in 1922 one of these local creators of a new product worthy of a legal patent application was named Jno R. Harty. He was at that time the operator of an auto paint shop at the Motor Inn Co.

That odd Jno was the man’s first name as listed in several city directories of the 1920s. In fact, the Jno was actually a variation of John which was his real name.

An article in the July 20, 1922, issue of the Tribune said, “A local man, J.R. Harty, who conducts an auto paint shop at the Motor Inn, is the inventor of a new product which he is manufacturing and placing on the market. He calls it ‘Harty’s Wonder Worker’ and if it lives up to all that Mr. Harty says it will, it should fill a long felt want in the auto industry. It is a substance which will not only remove all scum, spots and scratches from automobiles, pianos, furniture and all varnished (and lacquered) surfaces and restores and renews the life of the surfaces treated.”

Kevin found several Tribune ads from 1922 which said Harty’s Wonder Worker polish was being made by the H&S Mfg. Co. of Albert Lea. The H part of the new firm was obvious, but there’s no indication as to who was the S part of the name. Also, no address was given for the H&S firm.

It’s not known if Harty ever obtained his patent or if the Wonder Worker product ever became a real success. Anyway, a Tribune obituary in January 1973 said this veteran of the Spanish-American War (1898) was an auto painter most of his life.

Another area inventor Kevin found during his extensive research in the old newspapers was Lewis P. Hanson of London. Hanson’s ad in the Jan 2, 1917, issue of the Freeborn County Standard weekly newspaper firmly declared that he had a remarkable invention. This was a wheel position indicator for automobiles.

Unlike John Harty’s polish product, Hanson‘s device had a fully legal patent. His creation was based on the concept of the driver of an automobile being able to look at a gauge on the dash and know exactly which way the front wheels were turned. The ad said this Hanson system was “advantageous when traveling through sand, when on rutty or slippery roads, turning and backing and starting. A glance at the indicator shows how the front wheels are set” or aligned.

In that era the roadways were unpaved and rather rough. Thus, this device could be mighty handy for the automobile and truck drivers.

At the end of the ad was this notification: “Device for sale outright or will sell to manufacturers on royalty basis.”

There’s no information available as to whether Hanson’s device ever became a success.

A few months later in 1917 another invention by another Hanson, who may or maybe not have been a relative of Lewis, made the news. In the April 9, 1917, issue of the Tribune was this short article:

“Russell, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Hanson, has invented a little contrivance that is bound to find ready sale in these patriotic days. (The nation was then getting involved in being an active participant in World War I.)

“The invention is a miniature flag staff that fastens securely to the radiator cap to which the stars and stripes can be attached.

“The American Gas Machine Company will manufacture them, and while Russell has sold several, … it will not be necessary to turn over the whole plant to their manufacture.”

Radiator caps on automobiles were once external parts of vehicle’s hoods. Anyway, flying or displaying decals of our nation’s flag on cars, pickups and trucks are still very viable ways to show personal patriotism.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.