Men of Invention and Industry

by Samuel Smiles

MEN OF INVENTION AND INDUSTRY

by

Samuel Smiles

"Men there have been, ignorant of letters; without art, without eloquence; who yet had the wisdom to devise and the courage to perform that which they lacked language to explain. Such men have worked the deliverance of nations and their own greatness. Their hearts are their books; events are their tutors; great actions are their eloquence."—MACAULAY.

Contents.

[Preface]
CHAPTER I [Phineas Pett:] Beginnings of English Shipbuilding
CHAPTER II [Francis Pettit Smith:] Practical Introducer of the Screw Propeller
CHAPTER III [John Harrison:] Inventor of the Marine Chronometer
CHAPTER IV [John Lombe:] Introducer of the Silk Industry into England
CHAPTER V [William Murdock:] His Life and Inventions
CHAPTER VI [Frederick Koenig:] Inventor of the Steam-printing Machine
CHAPTER VII [The Walters of 'The Times':] Inventor of the Walter Press
CHAPTER VIII [William Clowes:] Book-printing by Steam
CHAPTER IX [Charles Bianconi:] A Lesson of Self-Help in Ireland
CHAPTER X [Industry in Ireland:] Through Connaught and Ulster to Belfast
CHAPTER XI [Shipbuilding in Belfast:] By Sir E. J. Harland, Engineer and Shipbuilder
CHAPTER XII [Astronomers and students in humble life:] A new Chapter in the 'Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties'

PREFACE

I offer this book as a continuation of the memoirs of men of invention and industry published some years ago in the 'Lives of Engineers,' 'Industrial Biography,' and 'Self-Help.'

The early chapters relate to the history of a very important branch of British industry—that of Shipbuilding. A later chapter, kindly prepared by Sir Edward J. Harland, of Belfast, relates to the origin and progress of shipbuilding in Ireland.