Wire Brush: Flat Steel Wire Tufts Stapled into a One-Piece Back (Doty, US 338,719, 1886)

A heavy steel wire brush whose back stays in one piece: flat steel wires are folded in bunches into blind holes and held by small staples driven right through the back and clinched on the other side. The holes flare at the mouth so the wires bend in a curve rather than snapping at the edge. All the wires lie the same way, so they flex alike and share the work. Result: a steel wire brush for heavy scrubbing that holds its wires, with a smooth back. Source: C. E. Doty, US 338,719 (1886). Unknown: the back material, sizes and wire gauge. Picture: the patent drawing.