science · 16 November 1841 · 183 years ago
In 1841, the first patent for a U.S. life preserver of cork was issued to Napoleon E. Guerin of New York City (No. 2,359) for his "Improvement in Buoyant Dresses or Life-Preservers." It was of the form of a jacket or waistcoat. The jacket was described as being made from a doubled layer of material, with sufficient room for the introduction of from 18 to 20 quarts of rasped or grated cork. After the insertion of the rasped or grated cork between the layers, those parts of the garment left open would be sewn closed. The difference in quantity of cork was chosen according to the size of the person for whom the life preserver is to be made.
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