From Bile Beans to Ezywalkin: A History of Western Australian Innovation
A treasure trove of historical patents and trademarks from Western Australia, dating back to 1870, has been digitized by the National Archives of Australia, offering a fascinating glimpse into the concerns and creativity of the colony.
The collection, presented by Kellie Abbott, assistant manager at the Archives, at the Boorloo Heritage Festival, reveals a surprising range of inventions. From cure-all remedies to mining machinery and land-clearing devices, these records reflect the practical needs and unique challenges of life in colonial Western Australia.
Cures for a Malaise-Stricken Colony
The digitized files are filled with strange and wondrous patent medicines. Among the most notable are "Bile Beans for Biliousness," a concoction marketed for stomach complaints and general malaise, and "Dr. Williams's Pink Pills for Pale People," a product promising to cure multiple ailments at once. These remedies highlight a public deeply concerned with health, often in the face of limited medical knowledge.
Global Connections in a Remote Outpost
Despite Perth’s relative isolation, the colony was not cut off from international innovation. The records show patents for inventions by world-famous figures including Thomas Edison and the Lumière brothers, proving that Western Australia was part of a global network of commerce and technology. This connection was crucial for a colony reliant on new ideas for development.
Local Solutions for a Harsh Land
A significant portion of the patents are distinctly local, born from the demands of the Western Australian landscape:
- Mining Innovations: Lifts, gold processing equipment, and other inventions aimed at making the gold rush more efficient.
- Land-Clearing Devices: Tools designed to tame the bush for agriculture and settlement.
- Vermin Control: Perhaps the most unconventional idea was a system that used explosives to deter pigeons from roosting on roofs.
A Marketer’s Trick: The Creative Spelling
Trademark law in the era made it difficult to protect common words. Inventors got around this by using alternative spellings, creating memorable brand names like "Ezywalkin," "Ezenwauken," and "Waukenphast." This clever workaround shows a sophisticated understanding of branding long before the modern marketing age.
What the Records Reveal About Public Health
The sheer number of patents for aerated water and typhoid medications tells its own story. The prevalence of these items points to a major public health crisis: unsafe drinking water. In a time before modern sanitation, such inventions were not just novelties, but necessities.
"These records are a window into the daily lives, health concerns, and inventive spirit of the people who built this colony," says Kellie Abbott.
The digitized collection is now publicly searchable at www.naa.gov.au, offering a unique resource for historians, genealogists, and anyone curious about the ingenuity of the past.