William Bullock (Inventor)
Accidental Death of Inventor
CLASSIFICATION: Accidental Death
LOCATION
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
TIME PERIOD
April 3, 1867
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
William Bullock, an American inventor born in 1813, significantly advanced the printing industry with his improvements to the rotary printing press in 1863, which allowed for high-speed printing of up to 30,000 sheets per hour. On April 3, 1867, while making adjustments to his web rotary press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bullock suffered a fatal accident when his clothing became entangled in the machinery, leading to his death on April 12, 1867. He was 53 years old at the time of his death and is buried at Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh. His contributions to printing technology have had a lasting impact, despite the tragic circumstances of his demise.
William Bullock's death by his own web rotary press has led to speculation about the dangers of industrial machinery during that era and the lack of safety regulations. Some believe that his death was a tragic consequence of the rapid advancements in technology outpacing safety measures. Additionally, there are theories that suggest his innovations may have been overshadowed by his untimely demise, impacting his legacy in the printing industry.
The Tragic Genius: William Bullock and His Invention
In the annals of industrial history, few stories are as captivating and tragic as that of William Bullock, an American inventor whose ingenuity revolutionized the printing industry. Born in 1813 in Greenville, New York, Bullock's life was marked by both extraordinary accomplishment and untimely demise. His groundbreaking improvements to the rotary printing press in 1863 brought unprecedented speed and efficiency to the world of print, yet it was this very invention that would lead to his tragic death just a few years later.
The Early Years
William Bullock entered the world in Greenville, New York, in 1813. Orphaned at a tender age, he found refuge under the care of his brother, who introduced him to the world of machinery and iron-founding. Bullock's insatiable curiosity and love for books fueled his knowledge of mechanics, setting the stage for a career filled with innovation.
By the age of 21, Bullock had established his own machinery shop in Savannah, Georgia. It was here that he invented a shingle-cutting machine, although his entrepreneurial spirit was dampened when the business failed due to market challenges. Despite this setback, Bullock's personal life flourished; he married Angeline Kimball, with whom he had seven children. After Angeline's death in 1850, he married her sister, Emily Kimball, expanding his family with six more children.
The Path to Innovation
Bullock's inventive mind never rested. Upon returning to New York, he designed a variety of machines, including a cotton and hay press, a seed planter, and a lathe cutting machine. His invention of a grain drill even earned him a prize from the prestigious Franklin Institute in 1849. This accolade marked Bullock's first significant recognition in the world of invention.
His career took a pivotal turn when he entered the newspaper industry as an editor for The Banner of the Union in Philadelphia. The paper later relocated to Catskill, New York, where Bullock began to experiment with printing technology. In 1853, he embarked on the development of a hand-turned wooden printing press featuring a self-feeder mechanism. This innovation laid the groundwork for his most notable contribution to the printing world.
The Web Rotary Press
By the time Bullock moved to Pittsburgh, he was ready to revolutionize the printing industry. Building upon Richard March Hoe's rotary press, which had been introduced in 1843, Bullock's enhancements created the web rotary press. His design facilitated the automatic feeding of large paper rolls through the rollers, eliminating the need for manual labor. The press was self-adjusting and capable of printing on both sides of the paper, folding it, and cutting with a sharp serrated knife that required minimal maintenance. Bullock's press was a marvel of efficiency, initially capable of printing 12,000 sheets per hour, with subsequent improvements raising the speed to 30,000 sheets per hour.
A Tragic End
The story of William Bullock took a tragic turn on April 3, 1867. While overseeing the installation of his web rotary press at the Philadelphia Public Ledger, Bullock attempted to kick a driving belt onto a pulley. In a horrifying accident, his leg became ensnared in the machinery, resulting in severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, gangrene set in, and on April 12, 1867, William Bullock succumbed to his injuries during an operation to amputate his leg. He was laid to rest in Union Dale Cemetery on Pittsburgh's North Side.
The Legacy of Invention
Bullock's legacy is preserved through his numerous patents, each a testament to his inventive prowess. These include:
- Patent 38,200 (April 14, 1863): A printing press using a continuous web or roll of paper, printing on both sides and cutting sheets before or after printing.
- Patent 61,996 (February 12, 1867): An improvement in printing presses for efficiently discharging printed sheets.
- Patent 100,367 (March 1, 1870, posthumous): A rotary paper-cutting machine for slicing paper from a continuous roll into sheets.
- Patent 100,368 (March 1, 1870, posthumous): An enhanced machine for planing and squaring the ends of segmental stereotype plates.
- Patent 171,093 (December 14, 1875, posthumous, filed June 20, 1866): A machine designed for damping paper, enhancing its usability in printing.
William Bullock's story is a poignant reminder of the thin line between innovation and peril. His contributions to the printing industry remain invaluable, showcasing a genius who, despite his tragic end, left an indelible mark on history.
Sources
- William Bullock Invents the Web Press, Improving upon Hoe's Rotary Printing Press; Is Killed by His Own Invention: History of Information
- "Pittsburgh World Firsts: By Event, Pennsylvania Department, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh" (Archived from the original on 2016-01-13)
- U.S. Patents: 61996, 100,367, 100,368, 171,093
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William Bullock, an American inventor born in 1813, significantly advanced the printing industry with his improvements to the rotary printing press in 1863, which allowed for high-speed printing of up to 30,000 sheets per hour. On April 3, 1867, while making adjustments to his web rotary press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bullock suffered a fatal accident when his clothing became entangled in the machinery, leading to his death on April 12, 1867. He was 53 years old at the time of his death and is buried at Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh. His contributions to printing technology have had a lasting impact, despite the tragic circumstances of his demise.
William Bullock's death by his own web rotary press has led to speculation about the dangers of industrial machinery during that era and the lack of safety regulations. Some believe that his death was a tragic consequence of the rapid advancements in technology outpacing safety measures. Additionally, there are theories that suggest his innovations may have been overshadowed by his untimely demise, impacting his legacy in the printing industry.
The Tragic Genius: William Bullock and His Invention
In the annals of industrial history, few stories are as captivating and tragic as that of William Bullock, an American inventor whose ingenuity revolutionized the printing industry. Born in 1813 in Greenville, New York, Bullock's life was marked by both extraordinary accomplishment and untimely demise. His groundbreaking improvements to the rotary printing press in 1863 brought unprecedented speed and efficiency to the world of print, yet it was this very invention that would lead to his tragic death just a few years later.
The Early Years
William Bullock entered the world in Greenville, New York, in 1813. Orphaned at a tender age, he found refuge under the care of his brother, who introduced him to the world of machinery and iron-founding. Bullock's insatiable curiosity and love for books fueled his knowledge of mechanics, setting the stage for a career filled with innovation.
By the age of 21, Bullock had established his own machinery shop in Savannah, Georgia. It was here that he invented a shingle-cutting machine, although his entrepreneurial spirit was dampened when the business failed due to market challenges. Despite this setback, Bullock's personal life flourished; he married Angeline Kimball, with whom he had seven children. After Angeline's death in 1850, he married her sister, Emily Kimball, expanding his family with six more children.
The Path to Innovation
Bullock's inventive mind never rested. Upon returning to New York, he designed a variety of machines, including a cotton and hay press, a seed planter, and a lathe cutting machine. His invention of a grain drill even earned him a prize from the prestigious Franklin Institute in 1849. This accolade marked Bullock's first significant recognition in the world of invention.
His career took a pivotal turn when he entered the newspaper industry as an editor for The Banner of the Union in Philadelphia. The paper later relocated to Catskill, New York, where Bullock began to experiment with printing technology. In 1853, he embarked on the development of a hand-turned wooden printing press featuring a self-feeder mechanism. This innovation laid the groundwork for his most notable contribution to the printing world.
The Web Rotary Press
By the time Bullock moved to Pittsburgh, he was ready to revolutionize the printing industry. Building upon Richard March Hoe's rotary press, which had been introduced in 1843, Bullock's enhancements created the web rotary press. His design facilitated the automatic feeding of large paper rolls through the rollers, eliminating the need for manual labor. The press was self-adjusting and capable of printing on both sides of the paper, folding it, and cutting with a sharp serrated knife that required minimal maintenance. Bullock's press was a marvel of efficiency, initially capable of printing 12,000 sheets per hour, with subsequent improvements raising the speed to 30,000 sheets per hour.
A Tragic End
The story of William Bullock took a tragic turn on April 3, 1867. While overseeing the installation of his web rotary press at the Philadelphia Public Ledger, Bullock attempted to kick a driving belt onto a pulley. In a horrifying accident, his leg became ensnared in the machinery, resulting in severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, gangrene set in, and on April 12, 1867, William Bullock succumbed to his injuries during an operation to amputate his leg. He was laid to rest in Union Dale Cemetery on Pittsburgh's North Side.
The Legacy of Invention
Bullock's legacy is preserved through his numerous patents, each a testament to his inventive prowess. These include:
- Patent 38,200 (April 14, 1863): A printing press using a continuous web or roll of paper, printing on both sides and cutting sheets before or after printing.
- Patent 61,996 (February 12, 1867): An improvement in printing presses for efficiently discharging printed sheets.
- Patent 100,367 (March 1, 1870, posthumous): A rotary paper-cutting machine for slicing paper from a continuous roll into sheets.
- Patent 100,368 (March 1, 1870, posthumous): An enhanced machine for planing and squaring the ends of segmental stereotype plates.
- Patent 171,093 (December 14, 1875, posthumous, filed June 20, 1866): A machine designed for damping paper, enhancing its usability in printing.
William Bullock's story is a poignant reminder of the thin line between innovation and peril. His contributions to the printing industry remain invaluable, showcasing a genius who, despite his tragic end, left an indelible mark on history.
Sources
- William Bullock Invents the Web Press, Improving upon Hoe's Rotary Printing Press; Is Killed by His Own Invention: History of Information
- "Pittsburgh World Firsts: By Event, Pennsylvania Department, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh" (Archived from the original on 2016-01-13)
- U.S. Patents: 61996, 100,367, 100,368, 171,093
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No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
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Join the discussion
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