This sporty 1938 football with simulated lacing patent, printed on canvas with archival ink, is a touchdown and win for your office, game room, and home. It is finished with a distressed vintage effect bringing character and atmosphere.

"A play or game ball comprising a body portion and raised portions thereon in the form of a simulated lacing simulating the appearance and feel of an actual lacing to aid in gripping the ball for passing or throwing . . . all strains exerted by or through the lacing raised portions as in gripping the ball being transmitted directly to the body, said covering surface layer being free from such strain."--Milton B Reach. Filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office January 14, 1938.

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.