Elmer Greensfelder Explained

Elmer Lewis Greensfelder (February 7, 1892 in Baltimore, Maryland - December 19, 1966) was a playwright and inventor. In 1911 he graduated from Johns Hopkins University, and later he used his degree to serve in World War I.^[1]

Plays

In 1932 Elmer Greensfelder won a contest from the Drama League of America for his play Broomsticks-Amen!.^[2] Greensfelder also wrote the play Half Past Heaven.^[3] Some of his other plays include The Saints Draws a Daggar, The Crocodile Chuckles, Six Stokers Who Own the Bloomin' Earth, and Mark Twain.^[4]

Patents

Greensfelder was an inventor with numerous approved patents, including one for "Method and Apparatus For Synchronously Producing Sounds To Accompany Motion Pictures". This patent was a system that would make sound automatically play while a motion picture was playing.^[5] Other patents include "Changeable Profile Toy"^[6] and "Loose Leaf Binder".^[7]

References

1. Obituary of Elmer Greensfelder, Baltimore Sun, December 20, 1966
2. Donald Kirkley, "Little Theaters Here Cheer By Award Of Drama League", Baltimore Sun, January 31, 1932.
3. Donald Kirkley, "Half Past Heaven Is Presented At Play-Arts Guild", Baltimore Sun, October 29, 1931.
4. Holly, David. "Elmer Greensfelder", in Baltimore in American Literature. Johns Hopkins University, 1933.
5. United States Patent Office, Method and Apparatus For Synchronously Producing Sounds To Accompany Motion Pictures, Elmer Greensfelder, 1254684, 1918. (accessed October 25, 2009)
6. United States Patent Office, Changeable Profile Toys, Elmer Greensfelder, 2755577, 1956. (accessed October 17, 2009)
7. United States Patent Office, Loose Leaf Binder, Elmer Greensfelder, 1525777, 1925. (accessed October 25, 2009)