Patented Revolving “Snail” Inkwell – Wolcott A. Hull

This revolving “snail” inkwell, patented by Wolcott A. Hull on March 12, 1878, is a classic of American desk-top engineering. Known to collectors as a “snail” due to the distinctive spiraled shape of the glass reservoir, it represents a mid-19th-century solution to the perennial problem of ink evaporation and thickening.

Design and Frame

• Manufacturer: This model was manufactured by Peck, Stow, and Wilcox of Southington, Connecticut, a firm renowned for high-quality hardware and cast-iron goods.
• Frame: The glass reservoir is suspended within an ornate cast-iron frame. The base features intricate scrollwork, serving as both a stable anchor and a decorative pen rest.
• Standards: The frame includes two vertical supports, or standards, which hold the reservoir in place.
• Axis of Rotation: The bottle rotates on an axis formed by retaining set screws threaded through the standards on each side, allowing the user to flip the inkwell open or closed with a simple hand movement.

The “Snail” Mechanism

The functional beauty of the Hull patent lies in its “revolving” delivery system, which utilizes gravity and an airtight seal to preserve the ink:

1. Opening: To write, the user manually rotates the trumpet-shaped neck of the glass snail shell forward.
2. Ink Delivery: As the bottle turns, the liquid ink flows from the main “shell” reservoir into the neck, making it accessible for dipping a pen.
3. The Stopple Seal: When not in use, the bottle is rotated upward. The trumpet-shaped end closes firmly against a stopple plate—a round, metal cast disc—which creates an airtight seal.
4. Preservation: By sealing the neck against the stopple plate, the mechanism prevents the ink from drying out or becoming clogged with dust, keeping the main supply fresh for much longer than a standard open well.

Historical Significance

The Patents: This model reflects the mechanical refinements found in Patent #201,249 (March 12, 1878) and the subsequent design protections of Patent #8,439 (October 1, 1878).