Sketches of the old inhabitants and other citizens of old Springfield of the present century, and its historic mansions of "ye olden tyme," . 88. When eighteen years old he showed muchmechanical genius. He was associated with his brotherStephen in the manufacture of tacks by hand. In 1806 heinvented a machine by which tacks could be made moreperfect than those made by hand. He sold this patent for$5,000 to a company which went into their manufacture. He afterwards invented a machine for turning and fin-ishing gun barrels, by a single operation. This inventionhe extended to the turning of all k
Sketches of the old inhabitants and other citizens of old Springfield of the present century, and its historic mansions of "ye olden tyme," . 88. When eighteen years old he showed muchmechanical genius. He was associated with his brotherStephen in the manufacture of tacks by hand. In 1806 heinvented a machine by which tacks could be made moreperfect than those made by hand. He sold this patent for$5,000 to a company which went into their manufacture. He afterwards invented a machine for turning and fin-ishing gun barrels, by a single operation. This inventionhe extended to the turning of all kinds of irregular forms,which was one of the most remarkable inventions made inthis century. During this time he was employed at theU. S. Armory. He received nine cents from the govern-ment for each musket made by his machines, and this washis only pay during the first term of his patent originallygranted in 1820. In 1831 he received a patent for an im-proved form of steamboat stern wheel, which was used onthe Connecticut river between Springfield and Hartford,Conn,, and on some of the western rivers. so SKETCHES OF THE OLD INHABITANTS. The home of Thomas Blanchard (from 1825 to about 1840) while building hissteamboats to run on the Connecticut river. The property is now owned andoccupied by Leonard Clark, and is on the corner of Main and Wilcox streets. AND MANSIONS OF SPRINGFIELD. 51
Size: 1992px × 1254px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectspringfieldmassbiogr
