This experimental clarinet--quite likely the only example of its kind--was invented about1895-96 by Philip J. Devault of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Made of ebonite with brass keys and ferrules, the clarinet displays features of both of Devaults patents (U.S. #527,742 and #583,194), but lacks the completion of key arrangement shown in his second patent. Perhaps this instrument was being prepared as a patent model (none was ever submitted), but for some reason was never completed. Devault claimed that his design would simplify and facilitate the fingering of these [wind, reed] instruments and render them more nearly perfect in intonation. Equally applicable to the flute and piccolo, Devault claimed that his design eliminated forked fingerings, made trills easier to perform, and improved intonation. Devaults patented clarinet model never caught on, but this example, preserved at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, continues to be a testament to the ingenuity of American musical instrument design and development. #clarinet #patents
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 15:00:00 +0000
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