My searching hasn’t turned up much for the 1940’s era. The one patent I found through a reference from a more recent patent is #2243256. This patent applies to a formed metal shingle. Built into the face of the shingle are several raised bumps. These bumps were likely inserted to stiffen the product and minimize Keep reading . . .
Author: Brian Stearns
Snow Guards and Depression-Era Construction
For those involved in construction 2008-2012, we had a taste of what the 1930’s may have been like. This was the era we sometimes still refer to as the “Tool Belt Recession”. Many projects that were pending when the bottom dropped out were never started. Projects that were underway cut as many details as they Keep reading . . .
Snow Guard Designs of the 1920’s
Ah, the Roaring Twenties. It must’ve been a fun time to be alive! The economy was booming, the country was growing, we weren’t involved in any military conflicts and it seemed that everyone was making money. In general, it was a really good time in US History. I’m told that there’s even still a speakeasy Keep reading . . .
Snow Guard Evolution from 1910 to the Roaring Twenties!
I’ve spent a good deal of time combing over old notes, documents, and patents. I thought it appropriate to point out a concern about the credit given to Emri W. Clark in my previous blog. Let’s explore snow guard evolution a little further. First, as with all patent claims and awards, the public assumes that Keep reading . . .
Snow Guards Around the Turn of the 20th Century
I’ve got to hand it to Emri W. Clark of Nashua, New Hampshire. His snow guard invention, patent # 625,144, awarded in 1899, is probably the single most knocked-off pad-style snow guard design that I’ve seen – and for a few very good reasons. First, I can’t help but to speculate that Emri himself must’ve Keep reading . . .
Snow Guard Designs of the 90’s….1890’s That Is.
In my last blog, we looked into the evolution of snow guards through the history of roofing. This time, we’re taking a giant leap backwards, into the 90’s….The 1890’s! Below is a patent for snow guards that were made in the late 1800’s, a pipe-style system made and sold as Dugan’s Patent Snow-Guards. The date Keep reading . . .
130 Years of Roofing History Drives Snow Guard Evolution
From the industrial revolution of the 1890’s until roughly the mid 1940’s, slate, tile and metal roofing was commonplace among roofing installers and builders. The craftsmen of the era understood the materials, how to work with them, handle them, maintain and repair them and they understood that snow and ice would slide off suddenly (and Keep reading . . .
Managing Snow and Ice on Solar Panel Arrays
Last week, we covered Snow Guards for Solar Panels, and since that post, several questions and comments have come up regarding the pros and cons of managing snow and ice on solar panel arrays. Avalanching Snow on Solar Panels I’ve always been a strong advocate for not using snow retention devices unless they’re needed. If Keep reading . . .
Snow Guards for Solar Panels
As you’re aware, I’ve retired from the world of solar panel racking. As you may not be aware, Alpine SnowGuards manufactures the only snow retention system for solar arrays. Yes, we make a product that keeps snow and ice from sliding off the roof from solar panels in the form of a sudden avalanche. Why, Keep reading . . .
PP115 Snow Guard Featured on This Old House & Other Notable Projects
We would like to thank This Old House producers for the much-needed discussion about the importance of snow guards. Tommy and Kevin of This Old House installed our PP115 system quickly and easily on a Brookline, MA residential project last weekend. It’s our understanding This Old House does not mention product manufacturers on air to Keep reading . . .