John Talcott Wells, Sr. filed a patent regarding a “Truss for Buildings or Bridges” on September 20, 1888.

He received a letter from the Office of the Scientific American dated November 24, 1888 stating that his patent application had been received and that he had only to remit a final government fee of $20.00 for the patent to be printed and issued.

The patent, #401,870, was approved on April 23, 1889.

A copy of this patent is accessible via the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website.