No one puts much thought into the details of their shoelace, or a car tire, or a golf ball or even the clasps on their bra. These modern-day items were patented back in the early 1900s.

Bea Rogers, a former member of Suffolk City Council, has a home full of history, and she happens to have quite a distinguished lineage. Rogers just happens to be the great-granddaughter of the man that invented and patented plenty of the items the world uses every day.

Eleazer Kempshall was an inventor who emigrated to the United States from England, and most of his life was spent inventing and improving upon mundane items. Most of these improvements or inventions were birthed from his own experiences.

Kempshall was invited to attend the coronation of King Edward VII, and prior to the coronation the pair was playing golf when Kempshall was inspired to make and patent improvements to the traditional golf ball.

At the time, golf balls were wooden inside and, when hit, they caused a vibration through the body, causing a sore body for the golfer afterward. This was one of Kempshall’s favorite inventions, because he had over 100 patents on golf balls, also known as playing balls.

A more notable improvement and patent of Kempshall was the automobile tire. Before Kempshall got involved, tires were completely solid. After his improvements, tires were filled with air and some of them started to feature tire treads.

“My favorite invention was the tires, because everyone drives on tires,” Rogers said.

Once Kempshall patented his designs, he entered into the tire business as Kempshall Tire Company.
Kempshall also used his patents, and the money coming from them, to provide for his family. He had an unmarried daughter, Iva, and he wanted to make sure that she was going to have a comfortable life and be taken care of. To do this, Kempshall put some of his tire patents in her name.

Most notably, Kempshall put his patented designs for the anti-skidding tire in Iva’s name.

While Kempshall is known for his tires and the numerous patents on golf balls, he also invented many things that women still use.

He invented the first stacked heel to be worn by men and women, and the designs even featured an outside layer to keep them from coming apart.

Rogers even has some of the original inventions in her home. She has two small boxes filled with mini clasps that now come on the back of women’s brassieres. They are still in their original boxes.

Some of her favorite items are the pen tips she still has, one of them made of real gold. The pen tips that Kempshall patented were the first that did not have to be dipped after every letter.