Harvey Kennedy patented the modern shoelace with an aglet on this day in 1790.

Did you know that:

• Joseph Couch patented the steam-powered percussion rock drill on this day in 1849
• Abraham Gesner, a Canadian geologist, patented kerosene on this day in 1855
• M. L. Byrn patented the “covered gimlet screw with a ‘T’ handle” (corkscrew) on this day in 1860