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On this day in Seattle history: October 22

On this day in Seattle history — a local inventor filed a patent application, Seattle Public Library completed a $3 million expansion project, and Pearl Jam icons debuted.

A black and white photo of Western Avenue in Seattle on October 22, 1920 shows a horse-drawn carriage entering the view on the right, and a sign for "Dodge Brothers 4 door sedan" in front of an empty lot.

On this day 104 years ago (1920), parallel parking was a whole lot harder.

We’re looking at you, October 22 — on this day in Seattle history, locals were laying the groundwork for inventions, public institutions, and one of America’s most iconic rock bands.

Let’s go back in time...

Oct. 22, 1914 — Seattle commercial artists and sign painters Ross George + William Gordon file a patent application for their uniquely designed lettering pen. The invention implements various nib shapes and sizes, allowing artists to better customize line width with merely a twist of the pen. Their patent will be granted in 1916.

Oct. 22, 1990 — A rag-tag group of veteran Seattle rock musicians gear up for a debut performance at Off Ramp Cafe in West Seattle (where The Good Society Brewery stands today). A few months after hitting the stage as “Mookie Blaylock,” the band undergoes a rebrand... ever heard of Pearl Jam?

Oct. 22, 2005 — Seattle Public Library finally reopens its Lake City Branch after a ~$3 million expansion project. Part of “Libraries for All,” the project remodeled the library with an additional 6,000 sqft and 15,000 books + other media materials.

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