Thursday, May 23, 2019

A Little Known Inventor...!

Once in a while, I run across someone that was very creative in the useful gadgets department, even though their name is mostly forgotten. That was the case with Walter Hunt. I think when you see some of the things he invented, you'll agree.

Walter Hunt



Walter Hunt was an American mechanic born in New York in 1796. Throughout his life he worked as an inventor and he managed to create a variety of different devices. The lockstitch sewing machine, safety pin, a forerunner of the Winchester repeating rifle, a successful flax spinner, knife sharpener, streetcar bell, hard-coal-burning stove, artificial stone, street sweeping machinery, the velocipede, and the ice plough are his most notable creations.

Many of his creations have served as indispensable additions and improvements to basic activities and devices in modern times. This is especially true for things like the simple safety pin and the complicated sewing machine. Unfortunately, none of his extremely useful inventions managed to win him an award throughout his life (nor afterwards).

As many times as I have used a safety pin, I never even though about who invented it. Crazy, huh?

Coffee out on the patio again.

10 comments:

Mamahen said...

So many things to this credit. Quite a mind it seems.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
It would certainly seem that way.
Thanks for coming over this morning!

Hermit's Baby Sis said...

I often wonder about such things, Bubba, but leave it to you to come up with the answer - thanks!

Big hugs ~

linda m said...

Right there with you. I am forever using a safety pin but never even think about it's inventor. Same goes for the sewing machine.

Rob said...

The safety pin? There is a lot to be said for good marketing I guess.

Momlady said...

So many things we take for granted without knowing who invented them. Appreciate your fact finding, HJ.

Sixbears said...

Funny to think that all those simple little things never existed at one time. It's surprising how recent some every day inventions came about.

HermitJim said...

Hey Sis...
Just my humble way of trying to enlighten folks.
Thanks for stopping by today!

Hey Linda...
Always a surprise with some of them, that's for sure.
Thanks for the visit today!

Hey Rob...
It does play a big part for any invention.
Thanks for coming by this morning!

Hey Momlady...
I just find this interesting and hope that you guys do also.
Thanks for the visit today!

Hey Sixbears...
Sometimes the simplest of things can make our task easier.
Thanks for stopping by today!

JO said...

That is sad that he never received proper noticed to the world. Always lessons to be learned around the the Hermits place.

Now for the patio and some coffee.

Dizzy-Dick said...

I have never heard of a velocipede. Had to look it up. Now I know, thanks to you.