The sporty golf ball patent, stylishly printed on canvas with archival ink, is a hole in one for your office, home, clubhouse, or game room. The image has been restored and digitally enhanced while maintaining the integrity of the original document.

"To all whom, it may concern, be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS a citizen of the United States, residing in Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Golf-Balls, of which the following is a specification."

The patent act of 1790 established the rules for submitting a patent application. Each application had to be submitted with specifications, a patent drawing, and if possible a model of the invention. Eventually, models were no longer required.

The National Archives holds nearly three million patent case files from 1836-1956.