History of F.D. Test 4 Flashcards
Early colonist buried without
container, later used
coffins
Coffins handmade by
carpenters and cabinet makers (sideline)
Coffins were shaped…
- Octagonal shape with flat sides
* Imported trimmings and fittings
• Quality or wood indicated
economic status
COFFIN MAKING
• Grew with urbanization
• People wanted coffins for
burials
After people began wanting coffins for burial, there was an emergence of
coffin shops
coffin warehouses
furnishing undertakers
Coffins were a major funeral item in
early 1800’s
COFFIN STYLE AND FUNCTION
- Changed around 1800
* Gloom to beauty
Coffin MANUFACTURING MATERIAL
Wood
By 1860, patents for other materials: Iron Cement Marble Artificial stone Clay-terra cotta Glass Rubber
FISK METALLIC COFFIN WAS INVENTED BY…
Almond D. Fisk
Fisk metallic coffin was patented in
1848
The fisk metallic coffin was…
- used widespread
- An air-tight coffin of cast or raised metal
- Form fitting style reduced weight
- Also air-space
the patent for fisk metallic coffin expired…
in 1862
LARGE SCALE MANUFACTURING RESULTED FROM…
popularity of Fisk metallic coffin
• Crane & Barnes & Co. (August 1853)…
- Manufactured “Fisk Mummy Case”
* Became Crane & Breed Mfg Co in 1882
• Mass production replaced
coffin shops
Coffins helped…
• Impact of returning Civil War fatalities
preserve bodies
Cofins allowed
distant relatives to return home
• Cemeteries moved due to
city growth
• Bodies placed in holding vaults…
“for the winter”
Caskets come from the French word
- Idea of beauty led to its development
- “Ogee” design reduced weight
- S-curved design
“casse”
meaning of “casse”
• “Jewel box” of chest of valuable processions”
the word casket appeared in…
1849
