LA GRANDE — Discover nearly 300 patent holders, both men and women, of Union County during a presentation by local author Dave Yerges. The free event is Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St.

His book “Inventors of Union County, Oregon” is a 332-page soft-covered book filled with illustrated, patented inventions, dates, places, and the names of those who created them. Yerges came upon this rather obscure historical data quite by accident.

“While researching, I came across a site that talked about inventors, and I began to wonder if anyone in Union County ever patented anything,” he said. “That was the start of a search that lasted for quite a while and resulted in this book.”

By 2010, Yerges discovered nearly 300 patented inventions originating from Union County.

“The earliest invention was patented in 1872 by Amos E. Rogers, titled ‘Improvement in Candle Sticks,’” Yerges said. “It was a holder designed for candle sticks.”

Over time inventions became more sophisticated such as one patented by a pair of inventors titled, “Method and Apparatus for Underwater Tree Cutting and Retrieval.”

The three most prolific Union County inventors included Glenn L. Larison with 21 patents for improvements to logging trucks; Burr Courtright with 14 patents for wheel-driven irrigation lines; and D. L. Tanner with 11 patents for cutting and maneuvering materials in lumber mills.

“Men weren’t the only inventors in Union County,” Yerges said.

In 1914, Annie Lorenz of Cove received a patent for a milk pail; in 1972 Lulu B. Counsell invented a patient positioning apparatus for use in taking medical X-rays; and in 1987 Kathleen A. Abell’s invention was patented under the name “Automotive Seat Belt Assembly for Encouraging Passenger Use.”

Some people were multi-talented, such as George L. Oliver of La Grande, who received a patent for an airplane in 1914. Then in 1926, perhaps with the urging and inspiration of his wife, he invented a chain-link clothesline.

Almost every invention listed in the book has very detailed illustrations showing its component parts and how it works. The book also has an index by invention title, an index by patent owner’s name, and an index by the inventor’s city of residence.

“La Grande claims most of the invention patents,” he said. “Including well-known residents like Bohnenkamp and Baretto.”

Other well-known Union County inventors include Donald Starr of Summerville, Guy J. Glenn of Imbler, Joseph Hallgarth of Elgin, John C. Haefer of Cove, and Eugene F. Hug of Elgin.

“In all these cases,” Yerges said, “necessity was the mother of invention. These inventors saw a need and filled a need.”