This Day, That Year – November 19

American inventor Frederick E. Blaisdell patented the pencil on this day in 1895.

Did you know that:

• E.D. Barbour of Boston was awarded a patent for the first ‘calculator’ on this day in 1872
• New York World published the first newspaper colour supplement on this day in 1893
• Granville Woods was issued a patent for a third rail to operate electrified railways on this day in 1901