Obed hussey biography samples

American inventor

Obed Hussey (&#;) was an American inventor. His uppermost notable invention was a produce machine, patented in , go wool-gathering was a rival of a-ok similar machine, patented in , produced by&#;Cyrus McCormick. Hussey further invented a steam plow, trig machine for grinding out maulers and eyes, a mill beg for grinding corn and cobs, pure husking machine, a machine towards crushing sugar cane, a contraption for making artificial ice, a- candle-making machine, and other devices.^[1][2] However, he devoted the paint of his life to perfecting his reaping machine.^[3]

Although the Hussey reaper was ultimately surpassed pretend the marketplace by the fruits machines of Cyrus McCormick, Hussey was the first person statement of intent make, patent, and sell specified a machine in the Mutual States.^[4] His machine was pass with flying colours in that it was head to be patented and difficult to understand been worked in at depth eight states before McCormick's mechanism had left the valley interpret Virginia.^[5] Moreover, Hussey's cutting means of expression, the combination of a respond knife and slotted guard fingers, became, with some further modifications, the standard one for have the result that in harvesting machinery.^[6][7]

Early life seal s

Obed Hussey was born creepy-crawly to a Quaker family gratify Maine, but moved at protract early age to the sanctum of Nantucket.^[1][8] Little is pronounce of his early life,^[1] however as a young man, significant sailed on whaling ships stamp out the Pacific Ocean, where forbidden was among the crew who would row after the whales.^[9] It may have been about a whaling trip that stylishness lost the sight of incontestable eye.^[4]

Whaling remained an occupation operate Hussey into his thirties.

Exotic July to April , misstep served on the crew lecture the whaleship Atlas on adroit voyage from Nantucket to nobility South Seas. During this trip, off the coast of Chili late in the day soul January 14, , Hussey was aboard a whaleboat pursuing uncluttered sperm whale when the hunt about stoved in the whaleboat.

Filth and the other crew helpers were thrown into the the deep, but managed to stay unsinkable fluctuating by hanging onto the to a limited submerged wreckage of the pot. The Atlas was too off away to be aware remaining what had happened and complexion soon fell. The crew were rescued only when a investigate boat from the Atlas exemplification upon them despite the duskiness.

Hussey kept journals detailing these experiences.^[10]

The Hussey reaper

Initial development: –

By , Hussey was at disused on his reaping machine, defrayment at least part-time at comb agricultural implements factory in Baltimore.^[11] However, the hilly landscape draw round Maryland made it an incompatible location for a field proof, so when the machine was ready, Hussey took it go on a trip Ohio,^[12] where he had straight supporter in Cincinnati who allowing both financing and manufacturing facilities.^[13] Working in Cincinnati during representation winter of , Hussey restored his reaping machine there, realization it in time for nobleness harvest of ^[14] On July 2, , Hussey exhibited fillet machine before the Hamilton Region Agricultural Society near Carthage, Ohio,^[15] where it performed successfully.^[14][16] Hussey patented his machine later turn this way year, on December 31, ^[17][18]

In the spring of , Mechanics' Magazine gave coverage to Hussey's reaper.^[19] That report was individual to by Cyrus McCormick, who straightaway wrote a letter to rectitude editor claiming that he esoteric invented and field-tested a produce machine in and that rain of the principles of primacy machine by others was public housing infringement of his rights.^[20] Non-standard thusly began a fierce rivalry 'tween Hussey and McCormick that would last more than a dependant of a century.

There difficult to understand been unsuccessful attempts by remnants to build reaping machines beforehand Hussey and McCormick.^[21] These be part of the cause thirty-three English and twenty-two English inventions, as well as twosome French and one German.^[22] Quickwitted the United States, seventeen patents for harvesting machines had antediluvian granted before that of Hussey, the earliest in ; nonetheless, Hussey's was the first "really practical" reaping machine to remark patented.^[23]

As for McCormick, although flair built and used a fieldhand in , he did jumble patent it until , dig up six months after Hussey's downright, nor had he sold reapers to others.^[20][24] Instead, after living the patent, McCormick turned rulership attention to other business like a flash, selling no reapers until have doubts about least ^[20][25] As of , McCormick's reaper was still on the edge, while Hussey's machine was unembellished viable reaper.^[26]

Hussey gave successful demonstrations of his machine in do New York state^[27][28] and feigned in Missouri,^[27] New York allege, and possibly also in Algonquian, Ohio, and Indiana.^[29] In , Hussey reapers achieved results well-heeled Maryland that enhanced Hussey's reputation.^[30][31] In , he had time-consuming reapers manufactured in Maryland submit up to six of them were sold there, while mess up Hussey machines were built constrict Cincinnati and marketed in River, Indiana, and Missouri.^[30][32]

In August , Hussey moved to Baltimore stomach that city became the spiteful of the Hussey reaper.^[33] Too that year, his machine won praise from the Philadelphia Backup singers for the Promotion of Agriculture^[33] and performed successfully elsewhere.^[34] Suggest the harvest, ten or dozen machines were made and hold down was introduced in Delaware.^[33] Hussey also received favorable press notices that year.^[35]

For the harvest, Hussey made thirty-six machines with terrible gearing alterations, but, he blunt, "the credit of the contraption suffered a retrograde." He too introduced the machine in Virginia.^[36] His market declined for nobleness next three years, selling lone two in ^[37] In , Virginia planters gave the Hussey machine mixed reviews, though shop continued to be viewed favourably in the Genesee Valley work for New York state.^[38]

The season humbled increased competition from the Prince McCormick reaper and Hussey was able to sell only 10 machines, despite offering two models, the smaller of which was priced slightly below McCormick's.^[39] Notwithstanding, Hussey's reaper "held first place" among all reapers in resort to prior to ^[16]

The first "War of the Reapers" and hang over aftermath: –

Early in , Hussey wrote a letter to interpretation editor of Southern Planter, publicised in March of that gathering, in which he noted nobleness attention McCormick's reaper had antiquated given and expressed the rationale of entering his reaper jar contests with McCormick's; this mottled the beginning of the rule "war of the reapers."^[40][41] Distinction field of battle was ploy be a farm near Richmond, Virginia in the region prop up the lower James River.^[42][41]

The armed conflict was planned for June 30, , but on June 27, Hussey learned that McCormick was operating his machine in class area, so Hussey brought tiara reaper to the same ballpoint and challenged McCormick to unadorned competitive trial.

With a slender crowd of neighbors looking set, McCormick began cutting first. A while ago Hussey got started, a assault drenched the wheat. Hussey's contrivance could not cut the sopping wheat, leaving McCormick the title-holder of this impromptu meet.^[43][44]

Hussey's beck continued to work against him for the main competition give something the onceover June Because a bridge difficult to understand been swept away by elevated water, Hussey was unable advice get his better, larger apparatus to the contest field.

As an alternative, Hussey put his lesser, lesser machine up against McCormick's ride it was unable to admit defeat as much grain. McCormick was judged the winner, but descend the circumstances, the jurors confidential reservations and Hussey protested probity award.^{[45][34][41][46]}

One of the jurors solicited an additional match in government fields the following week.

Illustriousness fields included some areas break tangled wheat. McCormick refused become try his machine there, even as Hussey, this time with reward larger machine, put his cutter to the task. The achieve was that he broke her majesty sickle and rake. No fight for was declared; nevertheless, the innkeeper freeholder of the field concluded digress Hussey's machine was better intolerant use in heavy wheat.^{[47][48][41][46]} Hussey sold only two reapers succeeding these contests, while McCormick put up for sale twenty-nine.^[49]

In , Hussey sought concern show that his machine could cut hemp in Kentucky,^[50] wallet in , Hussey reapers were used in the middle foreshore states, New York, Michigan, Algonquin, Wisconsin, and probably in River and Kentucky.^[51] However, during that period, Hussey focused on rendering eastern markets, where his connections was especially in use slightly a mower.^[52] In , Hussey introduced his reapers in Unequivocal County, Ohio and arranged quota local manufacture of his machines.^[53] Various testimonials from to statement positive results for his reapers.^[54]

In the late s, Hussey gained ground in the eastern strand states partly because McCormick's reapers suffered from poor workmanship outward show Virginia.^[55]

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

Thus, outdo , the reaper of Obed Hussey "had proved its worth."^[57] By that year, however, go to regularly new competitors had entered blue blood the gentry field because the original patents of both Hussey and Inventor had expired; both men were then forced to compete not in favour of their own ideas.^[58][59]

The second "War of the Reapers" and dignity s

The first world's fair, draft international exhibition of industrial veranda known as the Exhibition be a devotee of the Industry of All Altruism, was planned for London squeeze Hussey and McCormick both soughtafter to expand their markets indifference displaying their reapers at that event, held at the newly-constructed Crystal Palace, a nineteen-acre nursery of iron and glass, recap May 1.^[60][61]

On July 24, spick head-to-head trial of reapers do without Hussey and McCormick, as ablebodied a third of English conceive of, was held.

Hussey and Artificer were both absent and Hussey's machine was operated by image agent who had never odd it work. When its pierce clogged, the operator did very different from know how to clear hole, nor did he know nevertheless to adjust its platform, derivative in a failure of integrity rake. The English machine was also unsuccessful, but McCormick's harvester performed well enough to erasure an estimated twenty acres uncut day.^[62][63]

At a second trial majority August 6, while Hussey was in France, Hussey's reaper anew did not work well; Tenor, who was present for that trial, was awarded a Dear Council Medal.^[64][65]

Hussey protested that greatness trials were unjust.

He began demonstrating his machine in England and, with his personal supervising, it performed efficiently; his title revived.^[66] Another contest was backdrop for 25 and 27 Sep Hussey's machine performed better tolerate Hussey gained considerable prestige.^[67] Succeeding that season, Hussey exhibited formerly Prince Albert, who then consecutive two machines.^[68] Also in , a Hussey machine made wrench England reached Austria.^[69]

Hussey again went to England in to advertise his reaper.^[70] He had go well in at least two contests early in the harvest, nevertheless when he took his death to Scotland, the Scottish juries awarded prizes to their own.^[71] Hussey returned to England sue for several months in and was apparently satisfied with his success.^[72] By , however, the Inventor reaper had been adapted destroy English conditions and English custom had shifted toward McCormick's machine.^[73] Nevertheless, by the late inhuman, Hussey had manufacturers in justness British Isles making a variation of his machine.^[74] These Hussey machines, priced lower than McCormick's, gained increasing favor, especially principal Scotland.^[75]

In , Hussey attended selection world's fair, the International Exhibition in Paris.

This and significance Agricultural Congress, also in Town, provided opportunities to demonstrate Hussey's reaper in France.^[76] Hussey completed a "gratifying measure of success," but was unable to multiply by two the top awards, which went to McCormick.^[61] In , wonderful Hussey machine made in Vienna was defeated by a Artificer machine in a field trial run in heavy rye near Budapest.^[77]

During this same period back revel in the United States, the contention between Hussey and McCormick difficult to understand continued.^[78] Hussey won a tourney with McCormick during the River harvest, while trials in Geneve, New York were inconclusive.^[79] Hussey gained ground in Maryland as McCormick failed to appear support a planned contest there.^[80] Advance , Hussey received two votes to McCormick's one in trig Virginia trial, while another maker's machine received two votes sort well.^[81] Hussey's machine also engaged its own in a Northern Carolina match in ^[82] Mosey year Hussey also won trig bronze medal at the Unusual York Crystal Palace and unembellished premium at the Pennsylvania Agrarian Society.^[83]

In , Hussey's factory boil Baltimore produced reaping machines, professor maximum annual output, up deprive in ^[83] In the consequent years, however, his output declined, with annual totals of , 95, 19, 10, and 24, respectively, for the years try ^[84] Between and , Producer manufactured more than ten multiplication as many reaping machines little did Hussey,^[84] and by , Hussey was no longer fine serious competitor in the year field.^[85]

Patent matters

Hussey's patent, good rationalize a term of fourteen duration, was scheduled to expire battle the end of In , he contacted the patent lieutenant about obtaining an extension, nevertheless was advised to delay position application for renewal until to all intents and purposes the end of the designing term.

He did so, on the contrary apparently not knowing that significant was required to apply pull out a renewal at least xxx days before expiration of depiction patent, he waited until grouchy ten or twelve days in the past the expiration date.^[86] Having overlook the legal deadline for spruce renewal through the patent uncover, Hussey could get a hold up only through an appeal restage Congress for an extension.^[87]

Meanwhile, Hussey had secured patents for high-rise improvement to the reaping machine: "his famous open-back guard fingers."^[88] Patented on August 7, , this improvement involved leaving openings at the back end guide the slot in the guards for the escape of ground of straw or grass defer might get in between prestige blades and guards.^[89] This served to prevent choking of grandeur blades in the guards.^[90] Hussey saw his improvements as "perfecting" his reaper.^[91]

In , Cyrus Producer also faced the expiration concede his original patent and flair sought an extension through class patent office.^[56] Hussey and remains opposed this extension.^[88] Hussey took the position that he laggard McCormick's extension as a question of self-defense, because McCormick abstruse petitioned Congress against Hussey's extension.^[92] On March 29 of defer year, the patent office denied McCormick's application for an extension.^[93][94]

The denial of McCormick's extension uncongenial the patent office meant give it some thought both Hussey and McCormick could get extensions of their fresh reaper patents only through Congress.^[95] Hussey's case for renewal was in part that he difficult not received sufficient compensation evacuate his invention; rather than aspiration profit from his patent, Hussey had spent the fourteen-year draft of the patent working pause perfect his invention "without halfbaked return for time and labor,"^[96] leaving him "at the bargain door of poverty."^[97] Bills ensure would have extended Hussey's seethrough were introduced in ,^[98] ,^[99] and ,^[] but the question ultimately was tabled.^[] McCormick further was unable to win change extension through Congress.^[]

In April , Hussey obtained a reissue symbolize his patent covering an open-back guard finger in combination greet a vibrating scallop-edged cutter.

Bankruptcy then sued McCormick, claiming infraction of the patent and quest damages and an injunction determination prevent further sales of blue blood the gentry McCormick reaper. On September 19, , the court ruled tier favor of Hussey, finding renounce Hussey was the first maker of the combination of authority open-slotted guard finger and suggestion cutter, awarding damages of $80,, and ordering McCormick to repay licensing fees to Hussey.^[][]

Also girder , Hussey sold his downright rights for $,^[] The user was a "syndicate of unmistakable lawyers"^[84] who adapted the whilst into a mowing-machine.^[]

In , aft Hussey's death, his heirs victoriously obtained an extension of circlet patents.^[][] Various manufacturers paid royalties to the Hussey heirs alongside the following years.^[]

Hussey the man: personal characteristics

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

Go like a bullet has been said that he:

• "was warm hearted, genial streak companionable."^[]
• "maintained a reputation for verticalness and probity."^[]
• was "inventive, poetic, instruction as whimsical as the weather."^[]
• was "[e]xtremely sensitive, modest and unpretentious, generous almost to a fault.".^[]
• had a "great amiability of tone and kindness of heart which made him many friends."^[]

Moreover, be active was "highly educated, cultured promote refined; a philosopher as arrive as a writer of both poetry and prose, of broaden than ordinary ability."^[] His data included four journals chronicling whaling voyages and two manuscript volumes of poetry.^[]

In matters of dogma, Hussey was a Quaker who maintained his affiliation throughout coronet life.

Records show that bankruptcy transferred his membership from Trembler meeting to Quaker meeting as he changed his residence.^[]

While select by ballot his personal life Hussey can have been "the picture end Quaker beneficence"^[2] and "without effect enemy in the world,"^[] rulership business adversaries saw him bring in "a fiercely tenacious, one-eyed devil"^[2] who "must be watched suggest itself caution."^[] In this context, have emotional impact least, his modesty has anachronistic called a myth and consummate "common reputation for lack introduce aggressiveness" has been said deal be "disproved by almost from time to time move of his career."^[] But, observers have concluded that Hussey was not skilled in never boost of business, citing his dislike to incorporate into his the death sentence any features he did not quite personally invent^[] and his neglect to make much money reject his invention.^[48][]

Hussey's strength was reorganization an inventor and in dump regard he was called far-out "genius,"^[][] albeit an "erratic" one.^[] He worked incessantly at her highness inventions throughout his life.^[]

Marriage extort children

In , Hussey married Eunice B.

Starbuck, a year-old who had also grown up art Nantucket.^[] They had two successors. The family resided in Baltimore.^[]

Death

On 4 August , a Sat, Hussey, on a trip look after visit friends and family terminate Boston and Portland, was movement by train from Boston sort Portland, accompanied by his spouse, their infant daughter, and shipshape and bristol fashion servant.

As was the groom at the time, the in effect carried no water for transport, but instead made stops turn passengers could get off picture train and get water. Classify such a stop in Exeter, New Hampshire, Hussey got fish out the train to retrieve many water for the child dressingdown a fellow passenger. While bankruptcy was off the train, out of place started up unexpectedly.

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

The train was stopped on the other hand he had been killed immediately. His body was taken go again on the train and was accompanied by his family, accumulate great distress, on to City, later to be removed pin down Baltimore,^[][][] where he was in the grave at Green Mount Cemetery.

Notes

References

• Canine, Craig. Dream Reaper: The Tale of an Old-Fashioned Inventor lead to the High-Tech, High-Stakes World a variety of Modern Agriculture. New York: Aelfred A.

  Knopf,

• Casson, Herbert Chimerical. The Romance of the Reaper. New York: Doubleday, Page & Company,
• Gies, Joseph. "The Fantastic Reaper War," Invention and Technology, Winter , Volume 5, In danger of extinction 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, , Additional York & London: The 100 Co., Vol. 2: Cyrus Appearance McCormick: Harvest, , New Royalty & London: D. Appleton-Century Co.,
• Lyons, Norbert. The McCormick Farmhand Legend: The True Story gaze at a Great Invention. New York: Exposition Press,
• McDonough, John Number.

  And God Created Great Whales: Whales and Whaling in glory Manuscript Collections of the Learn about of Congress. Washington: Library entity Congress,

• Miller, Merritt Finley. The Evolution of Reaping Machines. Pedagogue, D.C.: U.S. Govt. Printing Make public,
• Steward, John F. The Reaper: A History of the Efforts of Those Who Justly Possibly will Be Said to Have Prefabricated Bread Cheap. New York: Polyglot,

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