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I have a saying that inevitably comes up when I talk about patents for long enough: When the government is deciding whether to grant a patent, "Is this a good idea?" is not a check box that has to be filled in yes/no. It's just not a requirement. And this is an amazing example of that from 1882. Props go out to Melissa for showing it to me. GOOD WORK! Reason for Awesomeness 1: The date, Dec 26th, 1882. The day after Christmas. 1882 was also the year Jesse James was shot, for perspective.
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Reason for Awesomeness 2: Why did he chose a tiny, cute field mouse for the animal to kill? Why not a big rat or a raccoon? The inventor, James Williams, is from Fredonia, Texas. And I have to imagine that Texas had better stuff to shoot at in 1882. It really does put the meaning in the word "overkill."
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Reason for Awesomeness 3: "This invention may also be used in connection with a door or window, so as to kill any person or thing opening the door or window to which it is attached." (highlighted right). Again, 1882 was the year Jesse James was shot. My mind is blown like a guy who got drunk and forgot he set one of these bad boys up in his barn.
