Before receiving patents of his own, Milton Bradley worked as a draftsman and patent agent. He helped inventors fill out patent applications and drew detailed diagrams of their inventions. Diagrams for patent applications must be precise and follow strict guidelines. By providing his skill in technical drawing to applicants, he increased their chances of obtaining a patent. Patent agents still provide this kind of service today.
Patent #12,603 Spinning Flyer
Patent #24,182 Machine for channeling and edging soles of boots or shoes
Patent #37,545 Steam Slide Valve
Advertisement from The Springfield Daily Republican, January 2, 1868
An illustration of a young Milton Bradley demonstrating "The Checkered Game of Life" for a prospective store owner.
Starting in 1866, Milton Bradley acquired patents of his own, starting with his patent for "The Checkered Game of Life".
Patent #53,561 Checkered Game of Life - Milton's very first board game. It was a sensation that helped finance the beginnings of the Milton Bradley Company.
Patent #54,848 Croquet - the Milton Bradley company got in early on the croquet craze the swept the USA. The rules they included became the standard rules that everyone followed.
Patent #64,117 Zoetrope - a hand-cranked early version of a motion picture clip
Patent #133,296 Literary Card Game
Patent #218,700 Toy Railroad Cars and Station
(Click here to see a newspaper advertisement from 1866, with customer reviews of Zoetropes!)
An invention doesn't need to be patented to be successful. The following are some of the Milton Bradley company's most successful products in its early years.
1866 Myriopticon - A Myriopticon was used for storytelling entertainment. An illustrated scroll wound between two spools was placed in a box with a viewing window. When the scrolls were turned, the pictures slid by, telling a story. Some sets came with a script someone could read from to help tell the story.
1867 Mystic Fifteen Puzzle - Sliding puzzles were very popular in late 19th century America. The Milton Bradley company mass produced many different ones to sell all over the country.
In 1898, the Milton Bradley company started mass-producing crayons, in keeping with Milton Bradley's interest in early childhood education as well as color theory.