Madawaska in Aroostook County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Who is a patenteux?
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Patenteux ou pas ?
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2019
1. Who is a patenteux? / Patenteux ou pas ? Marker
Renowned carver Aurelle Collin's handmade crooked knives employ used razor blades.
“You see, he had a neighbor who had a barber shop — so he would use his old razor blades to make his knives. Pretty clever!”
—Gordon Soucy, Grand Isle Historical Society
Another example of "Making Do"
Readily available birch bark and newspapers were used as insulation in the attics of historic houses at Acadian Village, Van Buren.
Another patente? Sculptor/carver Claude "Blackie" Cyr's Crooked Knives here at the Tante Blanche Museum are works of art in themselves. Variations on the usual form, everything is custom.
”Why did so many people refer to Norm as a ‘patenteux?’" His brother says, "having seen his grandfather and father work in their blacksmith shop, at an early age he was already an ‘innovator'." After high school, he attended welding school in Ohio, then came home to ply his trade. He worked for local farmers and others; able to "patente" (fabricate) whatever they needed — farm tools, spiral stairways, or whatever. He was able to design and fabricate whatever he could imagine.”
—Linda Cyr
Les couteaux croches faits à la main par le sculpteur de renom Aurelle Collin utilisent de vieilles lames de rasoir.
« Voyez-vous, il avait un voisin barbier — il a donc pensé utiliser ses vieilles lames pour en faire des couteaux. Brillant, non ?»
—Gordon Soucy, Société historique de Grand Isle
Un autre exemple de « Faire faire »
L'écorce de bouleau disponible partout et de vieux journaux servent de matière isolante dans les greniers des maisons historiques du Village acadien de Van Buren.
Une autre patente ? Les couteaux croches du sculpteur Claude Blackie Cyr exposés ici au Musée de Tante Blanche sont des œuvres d'art en soi. Variations sur un thème, tout est sur mesure.
« Selon tout le monde, Norm est le type même du patenteux. Son frère raconte « que dès son jeune âge, après avoir regardé travailler son père et son grand-père dans leur atelier de forgeron, il était déjà un inventeur.» Ses études secondaires terminées, il s'est inscrit dans une école technique de l'Ohio pour apprendre la soudure, puis est revenu pratiquer son métier. Il travaillait pour les fermiers locaux ou pour ceux qui avaient besoin de son aide, pour patenter (fabriquer) des outils de ferme, des escaliers en spiral, n'importe quoi. Il pouvait fabriquer tout ce qu'il pouvait imaginer ».
—Linda Cyr
Erected 2014
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 47° 20.97′ N, 68° 16.542′ W. Marker is in Madawaska, Maine, in Aroostook County. It is on Fournier Siding just north of Main Street (U.S. 1), on the left when traveling north. Marker is the bottom panel of an interpretive kiosk located near the northeast corner of the Albert House, just north of the Tante Blanche Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 774B Main Street, Madawaska ME 04756, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Maine’s “The County”. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also Acadia.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Making Do" / Tout faire avec rien
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2019
2. Who is a patenteux? / Patenteux ou pas ? Marker
Photographed by Cedric Chatterley
3. Marker detail: Portrait of Aurelle Collin in his yard in September, 2001
Sculptor Collin's Crooked Knife ingeniously made from a used barber's razor.
Un couteau croche du sculpteur Collin fait à partir d'un rasoir de barbier.
Un couteau croche du sculpteur Collin fait à partir d'un rasoir de barbier.
4. Marker detail: Sculptor/carver Claude "Blackie" Cyr
Don’t miss Claude “Blackie” Cyr’s sculptures inside and at the Acadian Archives acadiennes.
Ne manquez pas les sculptures de Claude "Blackie" Cyr A l’intérieur du musée ainsi qu'aux Acadian Archives acadiennes.
Ne manquez pas les sculptures de Claude "Blackie" Cyr A l’intérieur du musée ainsi qu'aux Acadian Archives acadiennes.
5. Marker detail: Norman Cyr
L'atelier d'un patenteux: on voit Norman M. Cyr en train d’assembler une gratte à neige.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
