Fly killer, New York, United States, 1888-1930

Made:
1888-1930 in Brooklyn
maker:
Harold Somers
Tin of fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York Tin of 'Daisy' fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York Tin of 'Daisy' fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Tin of fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tin of 'Daisy' fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tin of 'Daisy' fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tin of fly killer, by Harold Somers, New York

Priced at $1.55 (approximately $34 dollars today, or £17), the ‘Daisy Fly Killer’ was used in the home to kill flies and insects. The insects landed on innocent looking daisies that were actually soaked with a poisonous solution. The insect killer was reusable by adding more water to the poison granules in the tin. The ornamental design meant that the fly killer was not blatantly obvious in the home. Harold Somers patented his product on 28 February 1888.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A661038
Materials:
metal, cloth and wood
Measurements:
overall: 12 mm x 155 mm x 94 mm, .08kg
type:
poison