The earliest patent for the hinged broiler came from William Perkins from the New Haven Wire Goods Co. 256 Water St. New Haven, CT he received patent # 408,136 on July 30, 1889. His original application was filed October 22, 1888. My Great Uncle Luigi Pieragostini worked at New Haven Wire Co. too (later called American Steel & Wire I think?). Luigi improved on the original invention of W. C. Perkins to fit the vertical gas powered Bridge, Beach & Co. Stove & then applied for a patent on his own hinged broiler receiving patent # 2,148,879 on February 28, 1939. From what I could find, Luigi (patent in son’s name Tazio) invented the first hinged broiler designed specifically for vertical use (both sides cooking at same time). This allowed for a rapid cooking time while minimizing counter space. This is exactly the same broiler & gas oven in use at Louis’ Lunch today.

Perkins’ broiler was designed to be flipped over cooking one side at a time. I can imagine that with limited counter space, & everyone wanting a hamburger sandwich during lunch, it wasn’t long before Great Grandfather Louis Lassen asked the New Haven Wire Co. (Perkins & Pieragostini) to come up with something that he could use to make dozens at a time & take up as little space as possible too. Necessity is the Mother of invention, right?

So, here is your proof that as early as 1888, in New Haven, CT, there existed a broiler device to handle a dozen hamburger’s at a time. This information from the U.S. Patent office will certainly help to protect your claim as being the first to invent (accidentally) the hamburger sandwich back in 1900. ALL of the necessary elements to substantiate your claim exist in the U.S. Patent Office. Your Great Grandfather had the place, meat & customers. The technology to cook the burger sandwich was also available in New Haven & patent protected as early as 1888 by Perkins & through the 1950’s by Pieragostini!!

Sincerely,

Thomas Pieragostini
Trumbull, CT
203-243-5855