...that in 1800 ether was first used by partyers as a fun diversion? Sniffing the gas led to hilarious and raucous laughter as people watched each other become more and more intoxicated and silly. Several doctors independently realized the value ether would have to anesthetize surgery patients. Of those who claimed rights to the "discovery," none had a happy ending. One had a seizure and died defending his rights. Another spent his life in an asylum because he had been denied acclaim. A third became addicted to chloroform and, in a New York City jail, he soaked a cloth in the drug, severed an artery and bled to death.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 4539862 | Detent hold and release mechanism A detent hold and release mechanism on a manually positioned valve controller which electrically signals a servo controlled conventional hydraulic control valve. The mechanism has a detented operating position and a spring-returned neutral position when t... | 09/10/1985 |
| 4430903 | Gaming apparatus having manually controllable operating speed An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to var... | 02/14/1984 |
| 4356938 | Caulking gun with pressure release mechanism A pressure release mechanism relieves pressure to a prescribed value in a caulking gun. The pressure release mechanism includes a slot positioned in the handle of the gun and a pin which slides in the slot. A pawl is pivotably attached to the pin and enga... | 11/02/1982 |