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Pencil with attached eraser patented (Hyman L Lipman of Philadelphia)

Hymen L. Lipman (March 20, 1817 – November 4, 1893) is credited with registering the first patent for a pencil with an attached eraser on March 30, 1858 (U.S. patent 19,783). Hymen L.

Hymen L. Lipman (March 20, 1817 – November 4, 1893) is credited with registering the first patent for a pencil with an attached eraser on March 30, 1858 (U.S. patent 19,783).

Hymen L. Lipman was born March 20, 1817, in either Kingston, Jamaica or in the Bahamas, to English parents. He immigrated to the United States around 1829 with them, arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he resided for the remainder of his life.

In 1840, Lipman succeeded Samuel M. Stewart, then the leading stationer in Philadelphia. Three years later, he started the first envelope company in the U.S.

In August 7, 1848, he was married to Mary A. Lehman, daughter of Peter Lehman, one of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia.

Events Before

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  2. Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel

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  3. National Association of Base Ball Players is founded in New York City

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  4. University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia

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  5. Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China

    Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China

Events After

  1. One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Ti

    One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Tischendorf, who takes the manuscript home

  2. Charles Gounod's opera "Faust" premieres at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, France

    The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century (the other three being the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien).

  3. Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly ins

    Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly installments until November 26

  4. US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York

    US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York

  5. English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and lay

    English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and laying the foundation for evolutionary biology

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City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line

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National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 30, 1858?
Hymen L. Lipman (March 20, 1817 – November 4, 1893) is credited with registering the first patent for a pencil with an attached eraser on March 30, 1858 (U.S. patent 19,783).
Why is Pencil with attached eraser patented (Hyman L Lipman of Philadelphia) historically important?
In August 7, 1848, he was married to Mary A. Lehman, daughter of Peter Lehman, one of the founders of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia.

Explore More

March 30 in HistoryYear 1858