US Patent: 4,699X
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| Machine for Cutting Metallic and Other Hard Surfaces
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Patentee:
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| John H. Hall (exact or similar names) - Harper's Ferry, VA |
| Manufacturer: |
| Not known to have been produced |
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Patent Dates:
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| Granted: |
Mar. 07, 1827 |
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Joel Havens
Wikipedia entry fro John H. Hall
National Park Service entry for John H. Hall
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Description: |
| Originally named Harper's Ferry, VA after an 18th-century ferry owner, the town lost its apostrophe in 1891. West Virginia separated from Virginia and became a state on June 20, 1863, thus putting Harper's Ferry in West Virginia.
Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. There are no patent drawings available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
During his two decades at Harper's Ferry, Hall developed and constructed drop-hammers, stock-making machines, balanced pulleys, drilling machines, and special machines for straight-cutting, lever-cutting, and curve-cutting. Hall's straight-cutting machine was the forerunner of today's versatile milling machine, and a critical tool used in the fabrication of precision metal firearm components.
John Hall was credited for inventing the Milling Machine to speed up production of rifles at the Harpers Ferry Arsenal. This patent may have been for that original Milling Machine.
Google AI's answer:
"John H. Hall's" Milling Machine
John H. Hall was a pivotal figure in the history of milling machines and the development of interchangeable parts, a key element of the American System of manufacturing. He is recognized for his innovations in metalworking and machine tools.
Here's more information about his contributions:
Milling Machines: Hall designed and built sturdy milling machines featuring guides and stops, which were crucial for achieving the precision necessary to produce interchangeable parts. These machines were powered by water and operated by relatively unskilled workers, such as young boys.
Interchangeable Parts: Hall's work at the Harper's Ferry Armory, where he supervised the production of his breech-loading rifles, demonstrated the effectiveness of creating parts that could be easily exchanged between different firearms. This was a revolutionary concept at the time, as firearm parts were traditionally hand-fitted and unique to each weapon.
"American System" of Manufacturing: Hall's methods contributed significantly to the development of the American System, a system of mass production based on the use of interchangeable parts and specialized machinery.
Impact: Hall's innovations in machine tools, particularly milling machines, and the concept of interchangeable parts had a profound impact, spreading beyond firearms manufacturing to other industries like shoe, watch, and bicycle production.
In essence, John H. Hall was a pioneer in using milling machines and other innovative techniques to achieve the precision and uniformity needed for interchangeable parts, thereby advancing the Industrial Revolution and laying the foundation for modern mass production. |
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