November 11 is Veteran’s Day, and a chance to thank all veterans for their service. Because of their willingness to defend us, we enjoy the freedom to live largely as we choose to and to pursue our interests. U.S. Patent No. 1,429,506 issued September 19, 1922, is, literally, a salute to veterans:

The invention is a doormat-operated animated figure, which issues a salute to someone who steps on the mat. The patent describes the figure as “an American Veteran of the World War,” not contemplating on December 4, 1919, when the application was filed, and the ink on the November 11, 1918, armistace barely dried, that we would soon again call on our soldiers to defend us in a second world war, and a number of other conflicts since.

To all verterans, thank you for your service and for our freedom.