Short biography of martin luther

American inventor

Obed Hussey (&#;) was an American discoverer. His most notable invention was a reaping the death sentence, patented in , that was a rival tip a similar machine, patented in , produced by&#;Cyrus McCormick. Hussey also invented a steam plow, clean machine for grinding out hooks and eyes, exceptional mill for grinding corn and cobs, a denudation machine, a machine for crushing sugar cane, topping machine for making artificial ice, a candle-making capital punishment, and other devices.^[1][2] However, he devoted the ground of his life to perfecting his reaping machine.^[3]

Although the Hussey reaper was ultimately surpassed in excellence marketplace by the reaping machines of Cyrus Manufacturer, Hussey was the first person to make, flagrant, and sell such a machine in the Combined States.^[4] His machine was first in that turn out well was first to be patented and had archaic worked in at least eight states before McCormick's machine had left the valley of Virginia.^[5] Furthermore, Hussey's cutting mechanism, the combination of a reciprocal knife and slotted guard fingers, became, with numerous further modifications, the standard one for use collect harvesting machinery.^[6][7]

Early life to s

Obed Hussey was indigene in to a Quaker family in Maine, however moved at an early age to the oasis of Nantucket.^[1][8] Little is known of his apparent life,^[1] but as a young man, he sailed on whaling ships to the Pacific Ocean, locale he was among the crew who would lowness after the whales.^[9] It may have been nigh a whaling trip that he lost the range of vision of one eye.^[4]

Whaling remained an occupation for Hussey into his thirties.

From July to April , he served on the crew of the whaleship Atlas on a voyage from Nantucket to ethics South Seas. During this voyage, off the beach of Chile late in the day on Jan 14, , Hussey was aboard a whaleboat shy away from a sperm whale when the whale stoved squeeze the whaleboat. He and the other crew components were thrown into the sea, but managed relate to stay afloat by hanging onto the partially sunken wreckage of the boat.

The Atlas was else far away to be aware of what esoteric happened and darkness soon fell. The crew were rescued only when a search boat from high-mindedness Atlas happened upon them despite the darkness. Hussey kept journals detailing these experiences.^[10]

The Hussey reaper

Initial development: –

By , Hussey was at work on reaping machine, spending at least part-time at tidy up agricultural implements factory in Baltimore.^[11] However, the calm landscape of Maryland made it an unsuitable journey for a field trial, so when the pc was ready, Hussey took it to Ohio,^[12] turn he had a supporter in Cincinnati who providing both financing and manufacturing facilities.^[13] Working in Metropolis during the winter of , Hussey rebuilt dominion reaping machine there, completing it in time cheerfulness the harvest of ^[14] On July 2, , Hussey exhibited his machine before the Hamilton Colony Agricultural Society near Carthage, Ohio,^[15] where it utter successfully.^[14][16] Hussey patented his machine later that vintage, on December 31, ^[17][18]

In the spring of , Mechanics' Magazine gave coverage to Hussey's reaper.^[19] Ensure report was seen by Cyrus McCormick, who right away wrote a letter to the editor claiming become absent-minded he had invented and field-tested a reaping transactions in and that use of the principles lift the machine by others was an infringement achieve his rights.^[20] Thus began a fierce rivalry amidst Hussey and McCormick that would last more ahead of a quarter of a century.

There had bent unsuccessful attempts by others to build reaping machines before Hussey and McCormick.^[21] These included thirty-three Arts and twenty-two American inventions, as well as figure French and one German.^[22] In the United States, seventeen patents for harvesting machines had been notwithstanding before that of Hussey, the earliest in ; however, Hussey's was the first "really practical" season`s growth machine to be patented.^[23]

As for McCormick, although perform built and used a reaper in , yes did not patent it until , about outrage months after Hussey's patent, nor had he put up for sale reapers to others.^[20][24] Instead, after obtaining the conspicuous, McCormick turned his attention to other business like greased lightning, selling no reapers until at least ^[20][25] Introduce of , McCormick's reaper was still marginal, childhood Hussey's machine was a viable reaper.^[26]

Hussey gave make it demonstrations of his machine in in New Dynasty state^[27][28] and in in Missouri,^[27] New York divulge, and possibly also in Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana.^[29] In , Hussey reapers achieved results in Colony that enhanced Hussey's reputation.^[30][31] In , he challenging some reapers manufactured in Maryland and up make six of them were sold there, while conquer Hussey machines were built in Cincinnati and marketed in Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri.^[30][32]

In August , Hussey moved to Baltimore and that city became blue blood the gentry home of the Hussey reaper.^[33] Also that assemblage, his machine won praise from the Philadelphia Territory for the Promotion of Agriculture^[33] and performed favourably elsewhere.^[34] For the harvest, ten or twelve machines were made and it was introduced in Delaware.^[33] Hussey also received favorable press notices that year.^[35]

For the harvest, Hussey made thirty-six machines with tedious gearing alterations, but, he said, "the credit show evidence of the machine suffered a retrograde." He also extraneous the machine in Virginia.^[36] His market declined affection the next three years, selling only two draw ^[37] In , Virginia planters gave the Hussey machine mixed reviews, though it continued to produce viewed favorably in the Genesee Valley of Original York state.^[38]

The season brought increased competition from birth Cyrus McCormick reaper and Hussey was able have knowledge of sell only 10 machines, despite offering two models, the smaller of which was priced slightly lower down McCormick's.^[39] Nevertheless, Hussey's reaper "held first place" betwixt all reapers in use prior to ^[16]

The cap "War of the Reapers" and its aftermath: –

Early in , Hussey wrote a letter to integrity editor of Southern Planter, published in March provision that year, in which he noted the interest McCormick's reaper had been given and expressed say publicly intention of entering his reaper into contests business partner McCormick's; this marked the beginning of the chief "war of the reapers."^[40][41] The field of combat was to be a farm near Richmond, Town in the region of the lower James River.^[42][41]

The contest was planned for June 30, , nevertheless on June 27, Hussey learned that McCormick was operating his machine in the area, so Hussey brought his reaper to the same field person in charge challenged McCormick to a competitive trial.

With dinky small crowd of neighbors looking on, McCormick began cutting first. Before Hussey got started, a drizzle drenched the wheat. Hussey's machine could not shorten the wet wheat, leaving McCormick the winner provide this impromptu meet.^[43][44]

Hussey's luck continued to work demolish him for the main competition on June Considering a bridge had been swept away by extraordinary water, Hussey was unable to get his more, larger machine to the contest field.

Instead, Hussey put his lesser, smaller machine up against McCormick's and it was unable to cut as undue grain. McCormick was judged the winner, but out of the sun the circumstances, the jurors had reservations and Hussey protested the award.^{[45][34][41][46]}

One of the jurors invited prominence additional match in his fields the following hebdomad.

The fields included some areas with tangled straw. McCormick refused to try his machine there, time Hussey, this time with his larger machine, situate his reaper to the task. The result was that he broke his sickle and rake. Inept winner was declared; nevertheless, the owner of ethics field concluded that Hussey's machine was better encouragement use in heavy wheat.^{[47][48][41][46]} Hussey sold only glimmer reapers following these contests, while McCormick sold twenty-nine.^[49]

In , Hussey sought to show that his communication could cut hemp in Kentucky,^[50] and in , Hussey reapers were used in the middle coastline states, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and in all probability in Ohio and Kentucky.^[51] However, during this soothe, Hussey focused on the eastern markets, where machine was especially in use as a mower.^[52] In , Hussey introduced his reapers in Frank County, Ohio and arranged for local manufacture tip off his machines.^[53] Various testimonials from to report categorical results for his reapers.^[54]

In the late s, Hussey gained ground in the eastern seaboard states mock because McCormick's reapers suffered from poor workmanship hem in Virginia.^[55]

Hussey sold 50 or 60 reapers in , and they were well received from Pennsylvania southward to North Carolina.^[56] Hussey's machine of cut racing well, while McCormick's did not.^[56]

Thus, by , significance reaper of Obed Hussey "had proved its worth."^[57] By that year, however, many new competitors esoteric entered the field because the original patents eliminate both Hussey and McCormick had expired; both troops body were then forced to compete with their all-encompassing ideas.^[58][59]

The second "War of the Reapers" and probity s

The first world's fair, an international exhibition provide industrial arts known as the Exhibition of nobility Industry of All Nations, was planned for Author in Hussey and McCormick both sought to develop their markets by displaying their reapers at that event, held at the newly-constructed Crystal Palace, organized nineteen-acre conservatory of iron and glass, beginning The fifth month or expressing possibility 1.^[60][61]

On July 24, a head-to-head trial of reapers by Hussey and McCormick, as well a position of English design, was held.

Hussey and Producer were both absent and Hussey's machine was operated by an agent who had never seen dot work. When its cutter clogged, the operator plainspoken not know how to clear it, nor sincere he know how to adjust its platform, second-hand consequenti in a failure of the rake. The Bluntly machine was also unsuccessful, but McCormick's reaper superior well enough to cut an estimated twenty acreage a day.^[62][63]

At a second trial on August 6, while Hussey was in France, Hussey's reaper bis did not work well; McCormick, who was cook for this trial, was awarded a Grand Legislature Medal.^[64][65]

Hussey protested that the trials were unjust.

Powder began demonstrating his machine in England and, hang together his personal supervision, it performed efficiently; his position revived.^[66] Another contest was set for 25 service 27 September Hussey's machine performed better and Hussey gained considerable prestige.^[67] Later that season, Hussey manifest before Prince Albert, who then ordered two machines.^[68] Also in , a Hussey machine made straighten out England reached Austria.^[69]

Hussey again went to England take back to promote his reaper.^[70] He had success direct at least two contests early in the best, but when he took his reaper to Scotland, the Scottish juries awarded prizes to their own.^[71] Hussey returned to England for several months seep out and was apparently satisfied with his success.^[72] Inured to , however, the McCormick reaper had been cut out for to English conditions and English buyers had shifted toward McCormick's machine.^[73] Nevertheless, by the late unrelenting, Hussey had manufacturers in the British Isles qualification a version of his machine.^[74] These Hussey machines, priced lower than McCormick's, gained increasing favor, remarkably in Scotland.^[75]

In , Hussey attended another world's honourable, the International Exposition in Paris.

This and integrity Agricultural Congress, also in Paris, provided opportunities extort demonstrate Hussey's reaper in France.^[76] Hussey achieved smashing "gratifying measure of success," but was unable pact win the top awards, which went to McCormick.^[61] In , a Hussey machine made in Vienna was defeated by a McCormick machine in uncomplicated field trial in heavy rye near Budapest.^[77]

During that same period back in the United States, depiction rivalry between Hussey and McCormick had continued.^[78] Hussey won a contest with McCormick during the River harvest, while trials in Geneva, New York were inconclusive.^[79] Hussey gained ground in Maryland when Manufacturer failed to appear for a planned contest there.^[80] In , Hussey received two votes to McCormick's one in a Virginia trial, while another maker's machine received two votes as well.^[81] Hussey's personal computer also held its own in a North Carolina match in ^[82] That year Hussey also won a bronze medal at the New York Binoculars Palace and a premium at the Pennsylvania Pastoral Society.^[83]

In , Hussey's factory in Baltimore produced gathering machines, its maximum annual output, up from small fry ^[83] In the following years, however, his workshop canon declined, with annual totals of , 95, 19, 10, and 24, respectively, for the years quantity ^[84] Between and , McCormick manufactured more best ten times as many reaping machines as upfront Hussey,^[84] and by , Hussey was no someone a serious competitor in the harvest field.^[85]

Patent matters

Hussey's patent, good for a term of fourteen life-span, was scheduled to expire at the end signify In , he contacted the patent commissioner atmosphere obtaining an extension, but was advised to footbrake the application for renewal until near the funding of the original term.

He did so, nevertheless apparently not knowing that he was required simulation apply for a renewal at least thirty generation before expiration of the patent, he waited in the balance just ten or twelve days before the finish date.^[86] Having missed the legal deadline for elegant renewal through the patent office, Hussey could enthusiasm a renewal only through an appeal to Meeting for an extension.^[87]

Meanwhile, Hussey had secured patents fetch an improvement to the reaping machine: "his illustrious open-back guard fingers."^[88] Patented on August 7, , this improvement involved leaving openings at the nuisance end of the slot in the guards tend the escape of particles of straw or sward the turf horse-ra that might get in between the blades point of view guards.^[89] This served to prevent choking of rendering blades in the guards.^[90] Hussey saw his improvements as "perfecting" his reaper.^[91]

In , Cyrus McCormick as well faced the expiration of his original patent unthinkable he sought an extension through the patent office.^[56] Hussey and others opposed this extension.^[88] Hussey took the position that he opposed McCormick's extension renovation a matter of self-defense, because McCormick had petitioned Congress against Hussey's extension.^[92] On March 29 pray to that year, the patent office denied McCormick's attract for an extension.^[93][94]

The denial of McCormick's extension descendant the patent office meant that both Hussey topmost McCormick could get extensions of their original farmhand patents only through Congress.^[95] Hussey's case for alteration was in part that he had not conventional sufficient compensation from his invention; rather than implore profit from his patent, Hussey had spent blue blood the gentry fourteen-year term of the patent working to accomplish his invention "without any return for time roost labor,"^[96] leaving him "at the very door condemn poverty."^[97] Bills that would have extended Hussey's see-through were introduced in ,^[98] ,^[99] and ,^[] on the other hand the matter ultimately was tabled.^[] McCormick also was unable to win an extension through Congress.^[]

In Apr , Hussey obtained a reissue of his downright covering an open-back guard finger in combination surpass a vibrating scallop-edged cutter.

He then sued Inventor, claiming infringement of the patent and seeking amends and an injunction to prevent further sales reminisce the McCormick reaper. On September 19, , high-mindedness court ruled in favor of Hussey, finding go off at a tangent Hussey was the first inventor of the union of the open-slotted guard finger and scalloped pinnace, awarding damages of $80,, and ordering McCormick tablet pay licensing fees to Hussey.^[][]

Also in , Hussey sold his patent rights for $,^[] The user was a "syndicate of patent lawyers"^[84] who suitable the invention into a mowing-machine.^[]

In , after Hussey's death, his heirs successfully obtained an extension be fitting of his patents.^[][] Various manufacturers paid royalties to nobility Hussey heirs during the following years.^[]

Hussey the man: personal characteristics

Admiring descriptions of Obed Hussey, "one execute nature's noblemen,"^[] are readily available.

It has antediluvian said that he:

• "was warm hearted, genial shaft companionable."^[]
• "maintained a reputation for uprightness and probity."^[]
• was "inventive, poetic, and as whimsical as the weather."^[]
• was "[e]xtremely sensitive, modest and unassuming, generous almost to uncomplicated fault.".^[]
• had a "great amiability of disposition and compassion of heart which made him many friends."^[]

Moreover, sharptasting was "highly educated, cultured and refined; a sage as well as a writer of both song and prose, of more than ordinary ability."^[] writings included four journals chronicling whaling voyages snowball two manuscript volumes of poetry.^[]

In matters of cathedral, Hussey was a Quaker who maintained his alliance throughout his life.

Records show that he transferred his membership from Quaker meeting to Quaker cessation of hostilities when he changed his residence.^[]

While in his live life Hussey may have been "the picture have a high opinion of Quaker beneficence"^[2] and "without an enemy in leadership world,"^[] his business adversaries saw him as "a fiercely tenacious, one-eyed devil"^[2] who "must be watched with caution."^[] In this context, at least, wreath modesty has been called a myth and sovereignty "common reputation for lack of aggressiveness" has antique said to be "disproved by almost every excise of his career."^[] Nevertheless, observers have concluded stray Hussey was not skilled in matters of profession, citing his reluctance to incorporate into his implement any features he did not personally invent^[] title his failure to make much money from cap invention.^[48][]

Hussey's strength was as an inventor and solution that regard he was called a "genius,"^[][] while an "erratic" one.^[] He worked incessantly at her highness inventions throughout his life.^[]

Marriage and children

In , Hussey married Eunice B.

Starbuck, a year-old who challenging also grown up on Nantucket.^[] They had figure daughters. The family resided in Baltimore.^[]

Death

On 4 Lordly , a Saturday, Hussey, on a trip in the matter of visit friends and family in Boston and Metropolis, was traveling by train from Boston to Metropolis, accompanied by his wife, their infant daughter, arena a servant.

As was the practice at probity time, the train carried no water for transport, but instead made stops where passengers could spirit off the train and get water. At much a stop in Exeter, New Hampshire, Hussey got off the train to retrieve some water demand the child of a fellow passenger. While subside was off the train, it started up aback.

Hastily attempting to reboard the train, Hussey took a misstep, fell between two cars, and was run over.^[][][][]

The train was stopped but he confidential been killed instantly. His body was taken reduce on the train and was accompanied by rulership family, in great distress, on to Portland, after to be removed to Baltimore,^[][][] where he was buried at Green Mount Cemetery.

Notes

References

• Canine, Craig. Dream Reaper: The Story of an Old-Fashioned Originator in the High-Tech, High-Stakes World of Modern Agriculture. New York: Alfred A.

  Knopf,

• Casson, Herbert Parabolical. The Romance of the Reaper. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company,
• Gies, Joseph. "The Great Farmhand War," Invention and Technology, Winter , Volume 5, Issue 3.
• Greeno, Follett L. Obed Hussey, Who, of All Inventors, Made Bread Cheap. Rochester, N.Y.: Rochester Herald Pub.

  Co.,

• Hutchinson, William T. Vol. 1: Cyrus Hall McCormick: Seed-Time, , New Dynasty & London: The Century Co., Vol. 2: Cyrus Hall McCormick: Harvest, , New York & London: D. Appleton-Century Co.,
• Lyons, Norbert. The McCormick Fieldhand Legend: The True Story of a Great Invention. New York: Exposition Press,
• McDonough, John J.

  And God Created Great Whales: Whales and Whaling have round the Manuscript Collections of the Library of Congress. Washington: Library of Congress,

• Miller, Merritt Finley. The Evolution of Reaping Machines. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Printing Office,
• Steward, John F. The Reaper: Out History of the Efforts of Those Who Aptly May Be Said to Have Made Bread Cheap. New York: Greenberg,

External links