John Lee Love facts for kids
John Lee Love (September 26, 1889 - December 26, 1931) was an African-American carpenter from Fall River, Massachusetts who created the first portable pencil sharpener.
Invention of the Love Sharpener
Love's original occupation was a carpenter. His first invention was an improvement to plasterer`s hawk. His design for the plasterer's hawk included a detachable handle and a aluminum board, making it portable and lightweight.
Love later invented and patented in 1897 a portable pencil sharpener which was called the "Love Sharpener". In the patent application, it says the Love Sharpener could double as a paperweight or ornament. The Lover Sharpener had a hand crank and a place to collect pencil shavings.
Not much is known about John's life, but by inventing the first portable pencil sharpener, he helped millions of people in offices and school children all over the world sharpen their pencils in an easier way.
Death
There is conflicting information on how and when John Love died. Some sources claim he died in a car and train collision in North Carolina on December 26, 1931. However, the death certificate clearly states Love's race as white and being 42 at the moment of death, which means it must have been a different person. No other information about Love is available, making it impossible to determine when or where he died.
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