Today In Diner History. . .

On this date in 1938, Allendale, New Jersey resident, Irving B. Cooper received patent number 2107854 entitled "Vehicle Body Construction." Though he filed on April 21, 1937 it wasn't until the following February when the patent was issued. This patent specifies an arched floor, preventing the floor from sagging once everything is installed. It also mentions the numerous other structural improvements. The entire patent and accompanying drawings may be viewed on the Google Patent website.

According to page 239 of "American Diner Then & Now" by Richard J. S. Gutman, Mr. Cooper, "...was vice president in charge of design and production for the diner division" of Paterson Vehicle Company. This is the company that built diners under the name Silk City Diner.


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