In Patent No. 185,562, awarded on December 19, 1876, Joseph Monaghan created a novel technique for the handling surface of magic pencils. Mr. Monaghan stated in his claim language: “What I claim is—
As a new article of manutacture, an orna-meutal pencil case or barrel, consisting of a natural mineral body in a single piece, bored through and through, and so as to expose a patterned exterior surface, substantially as described.”
Regarding his patent drawing he stated the following regarding his technique: “The drawings illustrate, in Fig. 1, a barrel or case, composed of blood-stone; and in Fig. 2, one made of agate; but the invention contemplates the use of any mineral substance whose composition presents contrasting surfaces.”