Fig. 4.—The First Paper Machine, A.D. 1802. Plan and Elevation.
The first machine was naturally a very crude affair. It consisted of an endless wire cloth stretched in a horizontal position on two rollers, one of which rotated freely in a bearing attached to the frame of the machine, the other being fitted in an adjustable bearing so that the wire could be tightened up when necessary.
The beaten pulp, contained in a vat placed below the wire, was thrown up in a continual stream upon the surface of the wire, and carried forward towards the squeezing rolls. A shaking motion was imparted to the travelling wire so as to cause the fibres to felt properly. A great deal of the water fell through the meshes of the gauze, and further quantities were removed by means of the press rolls. The wet paper was then wound up on to a wooden roller, which was taken out as soon as sufficient paper had been made.
Fig. 5.—The Improved Paper Machine of A.D. 1810.
The whole process was carried on under great difficulties, but substantial improvements were soon made by the enterprising Fourdriniers, who commenced operations in Bermondsey, employing Mr. Bryan Donkin, then in the service of Messrs. Hall & Co., of Dartford, who had shown himself keenly interested in the machine. In 1803 the first “Fourdrinier,” so called, was built at Bermondsey, and erected at Two Waters Mill in Herefordshire.