Negotiating the rewards of invention: The shop-floor inventor in Victorian Britain

Business History

Volumn 41, Issue 2, 1999, Pages 17-36

  Macleod, Christine ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

INDUSTRIAL HISTORY; INNOVATION; NINETEENTH CENTURY; TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT;

UNITED KINGDOM;

EID: 0032810143     PISSN: 00076791     EISSN: 17437938     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/00076799900000256     Document Type: Article

References (120)

1. D.E.H. Edgerton, 'Science and Technology in British Business History', Business History, Vol.29 (1987), pp.84-103. US examples include D.A. Hounshell and J.K. Smith, Jr., Science and Corporate Strategy: Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980 (New York, 1988); R.V. Jenkins, Images and Enterprise: Technology and the American Photographic Industry, 1839-1925 (Baltimore, MD, 1975); L.S. Reich, The Making of American Industrial Research: Science and Business at General Electric and Bell, 1876-1926 (New York, 1985).
2. D.E.H. Edgerton, 'Science and Technology in British Business History', Business History, Vol.29 (1987), pp.84-103. US examples include D.A. Hounshell and J.K. Smith, Jr., Science and Corporate Strategy: Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980 (New York, 1988); R.V. Jenkins, Images and Enterprise: Technology and the American Photographic Industry, 1839-1925 (Baltimore, MD, 1975); L.S. Reich, The Making of American Industrial Research: Science and Business at General Electric and Bell, 1876-1926 (New York, 1985).
3. D.E.H. Edgerton, 'Science and Technology in British Business History', Business History, Vol.29 (1987), pp.84-103. US examples include D.A. Hounshell and J.K. Smith, Jr., Science and Corporate Strategy: Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980 (New York, 1988); R.V. Jenkins, Images and Enterprise: Technology and the American Photographic Industry, 1839-1925 (Baltimore, MD, 1975); L.S. Reich, The Making of American Industrial Research: Science and Business at General Electric and Bell, 1876-1926 (New York, 1985).
4. D.E.H. Edgerton, 'Science and Technology in British Business History', Business History, Vol.29 (1987), pp.84-103. US examples include D.A. Hounshell and J.K. Smith, Jr., Science and Corporate Strategy: Du Pont R&D, 1902-1980 (New York, 1988); R.V. Jenkins, Images and Enterprise: Technology and the American Photographic Industry, 1839-1925 (Baltimore, MD, 1975); L.S. Reich, The Making of American Industrial Research: Science and Business at General Electric and Bell, 1876-1926 (New York, 1985).
5. M. Sanderson, 'Research and the Firm in British Industry, 1919-39', Science Studies, Vol.2 (1972), pp.107-51; D.E.H. Edgerton and S.M. Horrocks, 'British Industrial Research and Development before 1945', Economic History Review, 2nd series, Vol.XLVII (1994), pp.213-38; and the articles collected in J. Liebenau (ed.), The Challenge of New Technology: Innovation in British Business since 1850 (Aldershot, 1988).
6. M. Sanderson, 'Research and the Firm in British Industry, 1919-39', Science Studies, Vol.2 (1972), pp.107-51; D.E.H. Edgerton and S.M. Horrocks, 'British Industrial Research and Development before 1945', Economic History Review, 2nd series, Vol.XLVII (1994), pp.213-38; and the articles collected in J. Liebenau (ed.), The Challenge of New Technology: Innovation in British Business since 1850 (Aldershot, 1988).
7. M. Sanderson, 'Research and the Firm in British Industry, 1919-39', Science Studies, Vol.2 (1972), pp.107-51; D.E.H. Edgerton and S.M. Horrocks, 'British Industrial Research and Development before 1945', Economic History Review, 2nd series, Vol.XLVII (1994), pp.213-38; and the articles collected in J. Liebenau (ed.), The Challenge of New Technology: Innovation in British Business since 1850 (Aldershot, 1988).
8. N.R. Lamoreaux and K.L. Sokoloff, Inventors, Firms, and the Market for Technology: U.S. Manufacturing in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries, National Bureau of Economic Research, Historical Paper 98 (1997).
9. D.C. Mowery and N. Rosenberg, Technology and the Pursuit of Economic Growth (Cambridge, 1989); D.C. Mowery, 'The Relationship between Intrafirm and Contractual Forms of Industrial Research in American Manufacturing', Explorations in Economic History, Vol.20 (1983), pp.352-7; D.J. Teece, 'Technological Change and the Nature of the Firm', in G. Dosi et al. (eds.), Technical Change and Economic Theory (London, 1988), pp.256-81.
10. D.C. Mowery and N. Rosenberg, Technology and the Pursuit of Economic Growth (Cambridge, 1989); D.C. Mowery, 'The Relationship between Intrafirm and Contractual Forms of Industrial Research in American Manufacturing', Explorations in Economic History, Vol.20 (1983), pp.352-7; D.J. Teece, 'Technological Change and the Nature of the Firm', in G. Dosi et al. (eds.), Technical Change and Economic Theory (London, 1988), pp.256-81.
11. D.C. Mowery and N. Rosenberg, Technology and the Pursuit of Economic Growth (Cambridge, 1989); D.C. Mowery, 'The Relationship between Intrafirm and Contractual Forms of Industrial Research in American Manufacturing', Explorations in Economic History, Vol.20 (1983), pp.352-7; D.J. Teece, 'Technological Change and the Nature of the Firm', in G. Dosi et al. (eds.), Technical Change and Economic Theory (London, 1988), pp.256-81.
12. Lamoreaux and Sokoloff, Inventors, Firms, and the Market for Technology, p.51. These problems are also recognised in D. Noble, America by Design: Science, Technology, and the Rise of Corporate Capitalism (New York, 1979), pp.100-101. The purchase of inventions from independent inventors in early nineteenth-century Britain has been highlighted and explored in H.I. Dutton, The Patent System and Inventive Activity during the Industrial Revolution (Manchester, 1984), pp.122-49.
13. Lamoreaux and Sokoloff, Inventors, Firms, and the Market for Technology, p.51. These problems are also recognised in D. Noble, America by Design: Science, Technology, and the Rise of Corporate Capitalism (New York, 1979), pp.100-101. The purchase of inventions from independent inventors in early nineteenth-century Britain has been highlighted and explored in H.I. Dutton, The Patent System and Inventive Activity during the Industrial Revolution (Manchester, 1984), pp.122-49.
14. Lamoreaux and Sokoloff, Inventors, Firms, and the Market for Technology, p.51. These problems are also recognised in D. Noble, America by Design: Science, Technology, and the Rise of Corporate Capitalism (New York, 1979), pp.100-101. The purchase of inventions from independent inventors in early nineteenth-century Britain has been highlighted and explored in H.I. Dutton, The Patent System and Inventive Activity during the Industrial Revolution (Manchester, 1984), pp.122-49.
15. Between 1852 and 1883 all transactions involving patents, such as assignments and licences, were registered at the Patent Office. However, this entire class of records was destroyed by the Public Records Office in the 1960s, apart from two sample volumes and the indexes (now class BT900).
16. This research was initially conducted with a view to examining the respective roles in innovation of machine-making and machine-using firms: C. MacLeod, 'Strategies for Innovation: The Diffusion of New Technology in Nineteenth-Century British Industry', Economic History Review, 2nd series, Vol.XLV (1992), pp.285-307. For a valuable investigation of the way in which chemists were employed in contemporary firms, see J. Donnelly, 'Consultants, Managers, Testing Slaves: Changing Roles for Chemists in the British Alkali Industy, 1850-1920', Technology and Culture, Vol.35 (1994), pp.3-20.
17. This research was initially conducted with a view to examining the respective roles in innovation of machine-making and machine-using firms: C. MacLeod, 'Strategies for Innovation: The Diffusion of New Technology in Nineteenth-Century British Industry', Economic History Review, 2nd series, Vol.XLV (1992), pp.285-307. For a valuable investigation of the way in which chemists were employed in contemporary firms, see J. Donnelly, 'Consultants, Managers, Testing Slaves: Changing Roles for Chemists in the British Alkali Industy, 1850-1920', Technology and Culture, Vol.35 (1994), pp.3-20.
18. See below.
19. Select Committee of the House of Lords to consider the Bill intituled, 'An Act further to amend the Law touching Letters Patent for Invention' (P.P. 1851, XVIII), p.325. By the end of the century, however, inventors were increasingly perceived as professional scientists, as the distinction between technical invention and scientific discovery was lost.
20. Ibid., p.253.
21. Ibid., pp.415-16.
22. Select Committee on Letters Patent (P.P. 1872, XI), pp.521-3. See also the testimony of James Howard, ibid., pp.454-5.
23. Select Committee on Letters Patent (P.P. 1872, XI), pp.521-3. See also the testimony of James Howard, ibid., pp.454-5.
24. W. Felkin, History of the Machine-wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures, ed. S.D. Chapman (Newton Abbot, 1967), pp.502-3: W.H.G. Armytage, A.J. Mundella, 1825-1897: The Liberal Background to the Labour Movement (London, 1951), pp.21-4; D.J. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography (London, 1984-85), Vol.4, pp.380-85, 'Mundella, Anthony John (1825-1897)'.
25. W. Felkin, History of the Machine-wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures, ed. S.D. Chapman (Newton Abbot, 1967), pp.502-3: W.H.G. Armytage, A.J. Mundella, 1825-1897: The Liberal Background to the Labour Movement (London, 1951), pp.21-4; D.J. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography (London, 1984-85), Vol.4, pp.380-85, 'Mundella, Anthony John (1825-1897)'.
26. W. Felkin, History of the Machine-wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures, ed. S.D. Chapman (Newton Abbot, 1967), pp.502-3: W.H.G. Armytage, A.J. Mundella, 1825-1897: The Liberal Background to the Labour Movement (London, 1951), pp.21-4; D.J. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography (London, 1984-85), Vol.4, pp.380-85, 'Mundella, Anthony John (1825-1897)'.
27. Engineer, 6 April 1883, p.263.
28. The Times, 3 Dec. 1874, p.7e; [Thomas Wright], Some Habits and Customs of the Working Class, by a Journeyman Engineer (London, 1867), p.101; also A. Shadwell, Industrial Efficiency: A Comparative Study of Industrial Life in England, Germany and America (London, 1909), p.343.
29. The Times, 3 Dec. 1874, p.7e; [Thomas Wright], Some Habits and Customs of the Working Class, by a Journeyman Engineer (London, 1867), p.101; also A. Shadwell, Industrial Efficiency: A Comparative Study of Industrial Life in England, Germany and America (London, 1909), p.343.
30. The Times, 3 Dec. 1874, p.7e; [Thomas Wright], Some Habits and Customs of the Working Class, by a Journeyman Engineer (London, 1867), p.101; also A. Shadwell, Industrial Efficiency: A Comparative Study of Industrial Life in England, Germany and America (London, 1909), p.343.
31. C. MacLeod, Inventing the Industrial Revolution: The English Patent System, 1660-1800 (Cambridge, 1988), pp.10-74.
32. Dutton, Patent System, pp.34-85; E. Robinson, 'James Watt and the Law of Patents', Technology and Culture, Vol.13 (1972), pp.115-39.
33. Dutton, Patent System, pp.34-85; E. Robinson, 'James Watt and the Law of Patents', Technology and Culture, Vol.13 (1972), pp.115-39.
34. M. Coulter, Property in Ideas: The Patent Question in Mid-Victorian Britain (Kirksville, MO, 1992); F. Machlop and E. Penrose, 'The Patent Controversy in the Nineteenth Century', Journal of Economic History, Vol.10 (1950), pp.1-29; V.M. Batzel, 'Legal Monopoly in Liberal England: The Patent Controversy in the Mid-Nineteenth Century', Business History, Vol.22 (1980), pp.189-202.
35. M. Coulter, Property in Ideas: The Patent Question in Mid-Victorian Britain (Kirksville, MO, 1992); F. Machlop and E. Penrose, 'The Patent Controversy in the Nineteenth Century', Journal of Economic History, Vol.10 (1950), pp.1-29; V.M. Batzel, 'Legal Monopoly in Liberal England: The Patent Controversy in the Mid-Nineteenth Century', Business History, Vol.22 (1980), pp.189-202.
36. M. Coulter, Property in Ideas: The Patent Question in Mid-Victorian Britain (Kirksville, MO, 1992); F. Machlop and E. Penrose, 'The Patent Controversy in the Nineteenth Century', Journal of Economic History, Vol.10 (1950), pp.1-29; V.M. Batzel, 'Legal Monopoly in Liberal England: The Patent Controversy in the Mid-Nineteenth Century', Business History, Vol.22 (1980), pp.189-202.
37. K. Boehm and A. Silberston, The British Patent System: I, Administration (Cambridge, 1967), pp.28-9, 31.
38. B.M.D. Smith, 'Patents for Invention: The National and Local Picture', Business History, Vol.4 (1962), pp.111-12.
39. Boehm and Silberston, British Patent System, pp.30-31, 35.
40. MacLeod, Inventing the Industrial Revolution, pp.49-54, 60-64, 75-114; Dutton, Patent System, pp.69-100.
41. MacLeod, Inventing the Industrial Revolution, pp.49-54, 60-64, 75-114; Dutton, Patent System, pp.69-100.
42. Boehm and Silberston, British Patent System, pp.22-3, 32-7.
43. J. Benson, The Working Class in Britain, 1850-1939 (London, 1989), pp.39-53.
44. 'A Poor Man's Tale of a Patent', Household Words, 19 Oct. 1850, pp.73-5.
45. Dutton, Patent System, pp.150-74.
46. Engineer, 3 June 1881, p.405; also 28 Jan. 1881, p.70. See also the speech of Robert Andrew Macfie MP, a leading campaigner for patent abolition, in Hansard (Commons), 3rd series, Vol.CCIV, 7 March 1871, col.1519.
47. Engineer, 3 June 1881, p.405; also 28 Jan. 1881, p.70. See also the speech of Robert Andrew Macfie MP, a leading campaigner for patent abolition, in Hansard (Commons), 3rd series, Vol.CCIV, 7 March 1871, col.1519.
48. Engineer, 3 June 1881, p.405; also 28 Jan. 1881, p.70. See also the speech of Robert Andrew Macfie MP, a leading campaigner for patent abolition, in Hansard (Commons), 3rd series, Vol.CCIV, 7 March 1871, col.1519.
49. Select Committee of the House of Lords (P.P. 1851, XVIII), p.483. For Brunel's views on the patent system, see I. Brunel, The Life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Civil Engineer (London, 1870), pp.489-98.
50. Select Committee of the House of Lords (P.P. 1851, XVIII), p.483. For Brunel's views on the patent system, see I. Brunel, The Life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Civil Engineer (London, 1870), pp.489-98.
51. Select Committee of the House of Lords (P.P. 1851, XVIII), p.416.
52. Ibid., p.409.
53. Select Committee on Letters Patent (P.P. 1872, XI), pp.521-2.
54. Mundella was explicit in citing 'skilled artisans': Select Committee on Letters Patent (P.P. 1872, XI), p.521. See R. Gray, The Aristocracy of Labour in Nineteenth-Century Britain, c.1850-1914 (London, 1981).
55. Mundella was explicit in citing 'skilled artisans': Select Committee on Letters Patent (P.P. 1872, XI), p.521. See R. Gray, The Aristocracy of Labour in Nineteenth-Century Britain, c.1850-1914 (London, 1981).
56. E. Roll, An Early Experiment in Industrial Organisation: Being a History of the Firm of Boulton & Watt, 1775-1805 (London, 1930), p.261.
57. Ibid., p.262. Patent 2340, 29 Aug. 1799.
58. J. Griffiths, The Third Man: The Life and Times of William Murdoch, 1754-1839, the Inventor of Gas Lighting (London, 1992), pp.303-5.
59. J. Haining and C. Tyler, Ploughing by Steam: A History of Steam Cultivation over the Years (Bath, 2nd edn. 1985), pp.175-208.
60. University of Reading, Rural History Centre (hereafter RHC), Marshall-Fowler Ltd. Papers, CO5/63, Patenting Records, Deed of Arrangement, John Fowler with David Greig, 22 Dec. 1860.
61. RHC, Marshall-Fowler Ltd. Papers, CO1/2, Correspondence, John Fowler to Robert W. Eddison, 16 Dec. 1863.
62. RHC, Marshall-Fowler Ltd. Papers, CO5/65, Memorandum of Terms, Robert Fowler with Robert Burton, 14 Dec. 1865. See also AD3/3, Agreement, the co-partners in John Fowler & Co. with William Daniel, 21 April 1874.
63. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography, Vol.4, pp.725-9, 'Platt, John (1817-1872)', pp.729-32, 'Platt, Samuel Radcliffe (1845-1902)'.
64. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography, Vol.4, pp.725-9, 'Platt, John (1817-1872)', pp.729-32, 'Platt, Samuel Radcliffe (1845-1902)'.
65. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography, Vol.4, pp.725-9, 'Platt, John (1817-1872)', pp.729-32, 'Platt, Samuel Radcliffe (1845-1902)'.
66. Lancashire County Record Office (hereafter LCRO), Platt Brothers & Co. Ltd Papers, DDPSL 1/108/1, Patents file.
67. LCRO, Platt Brothers & Co. Ltd Papers, DDPSSL 1/90/1, pp.19, 21, 67, General Meetings Minute Book, 8 Jan. 1873, 24 July 1873, 22 July 1880. For a favourable contemporary comment on the scheme, see [James Burnley (ed.)], Fortunes Made in Business, Volume 3 (London, 1887), pp.477-83.
68. LCRO, Platt Brothers & Co. Ltd Papers, DDPSSL 1/90/1, pp.19, 21, 67, General Meetings Minute Book, 8 Jan. 1873, 24 July 1873, 22 July 1880. For a favourable contemporary comment on the scheme, see [James Burnley (ed.)], Fortunes Made in Business, Volume 3 (London, 1887), pp.477-83.
69. LCRO, Platt Brothers & Co. Ltd Papers, DDPSSL 1/90/1, pp.19, 21, 67, General Meetings Minute Book, 8 Jan. 1873, 24 July 1873, 22 July 1880. For a favourable contemporary comment on the scheme, see [James Burnley (ed.)], Fortunes Made in Business, Volume 3 (London, 1887), pp.477-83.
70. D.J. Jeremy and G. Tweedale, Dictionary of Twentieth Century British Business Leaders (London, 1994), p.54, 'Dodd, John (1838-1912)'.
71. E. Gauldie (ed.), The Dundee Textile Industry, 1790-1885 (Edinburgh, 1969), pp.53, 66.
72. Ibid., pp.xiii, xvi, 110-12, 146;
73. A. Slaven and S. Checkland (eds.), Dictionary of Scottish Business Biography, 1860-1960 (Aberdeen, 1986-90), Vol.I, p.319, 'Peter Carmichael'.
74. Gauldie (ed.), Dundee Textile Industry, pp.xxiv-vi, xxxii.
75. Hull City Record Office (hereafter HCRO), Rose, Downs, & Thompson Ltd. Papers, DBR 1037, Robert M. Latham to James Downs, 8 Oct. 1861.
76. HCRO, Rose, Downs, & Thompson Ltd. Papers, DBR 1132-3, Correspondence, James Downs to Christiana Rose, 13 Jan. 1862, 14 Jan. 1862, 2 Dec. 1863.
77. HCRO, Rose, Downs, & Thompson Ltd. Papers, DBR 1199-1200, Correspondence, Susan Thompson to James Downs [Jan. 1862].
78. HCRO, Rose, Downs, & Thompson Ltd. Papers, DBR 750a, 750b, James Downs' Private Cash Books; DBR 1039, 'Amount received on account of patent up to Christmas 1868'; DBR 2473, Historical Material 1836-70.
79. HCRO, Rose, Downs, & Thompson Ltd. Papers, DBR 750a, 750b, James Downs' Private Cash Books; DBR 1039, 'Amount received on account of patent up to Christmas 1868'; DBR 2473, Historical Material 1836-70.
80. Select Committee of the House of Lords (P.P. 1851, XVIII), pp.422-3; H.W. Dickinson, 'Richard Roberts, his Life and Inventions', Transactions of the Newcomen Society, Vol.XXV (1945-47), pp.127-8. See also Mundella's comments above.
81. Select Committee of the House of Lords (P.P. 1851, XVIII), pp.422-3; H.W. Dickinson, 'Richard Roberts, his Life and Inventions', Transactions of the Newcomen Society, Vol.XXV (1945-47), pp.127-8. See also Mundella's comments above.
82. E. Webster, 'The Record of a Continuous Progress: The 19th Century Development of John Crossley and Sons, Carpet Manufacturers of Halifax', Industrial Archaeology, Vol.16 (1981), pp.58-61.
83. Patent 13,267 (28 Sept.1850); Calderdale District Archives, Halifax (hereafter CDA), John Crossley & Sons Ltd. Papers, DC1414/1, pp.27, 37. Crossley vs Potter, 21-22 June 1853.
84. Manchester Central Library (hereafter MCL), John Mason & Co. Papers, L29, Box 2, f.141, Letter Book, John Mason to George Collier, 31 Oct. 1851.
85. MCL, John Mason & Co. Papers, L29, Box 3, ff.20, 24, Correspondence, John Mason to George Collier, 2 April 1852; George Collier to John Mason, 8 April 1852.
86. MCL, John Mason & Co. Papers, L29, Box 3, f.35, Correspondence, George Collier to John Mason, 29 June 1852.
87. [Burnley, (ed.)], Fortunes Made in Business, Vol.3, pp.268-310.
88. CDA, John Crossley & Sons Ltd. Papers, DC1404/1, Correspondence, Frs. P. Hooper to Mce. Sautter, 31 Oct. 1856 and 23 Feb. 1859. A similar arrangement was negotiated with Collier's successor, John Marsden, who seemed content with it: ibid., DC1441/1, 'Declaration of John Marsden', 7 Sept. 1877; see also DC1441/4, Carpmael & Co. to John Crossley & Sons Ltd., 10 Jan. 1878, and DC1441/24, 'Offer made by John Collier', 15-16 Nov. 1877.
89. General Register Office, Somerset House, London: will of George Collier, proved Wakefield, 17 June 1863. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography, Vol.1, 'Crossley, Sir Francis (1817-1872)'; J. Neville Bartlett, Carpeting the Millions: The Growth of Britain's Carpet Industry (Edinburgh, n.d.), pp.19-23.
90. General Register Office, Somerset House, London: will of George Collier, proved Wakefield, 17 June 1863. Jeremy (ed.), Dictionary of Business Biography, Vol.1, 'Crossley, Sir Francis (1817-1872)'; J. Neville Bartlett, Carpeting the Millions: The Growth of Britain's Carpet Industry (Edinburgh, n.d.), pp.19-23.
91. Patent 13,267 (28 Sept.1850) covered both Hudson's invention and the important invention relevant to power looms by Collier.
92. CDA, John Crossley & Sons Ltd. Papers, DC1455/3, pp.5-6, Report and Notes by James Wardle, 1913, typescript; DC1401/1-2, Memos of Agreement between John Crossley & Sons Ltd. and James Hudson, 5 Aug. 1850, 30 Aug. 1851.
93. John Rylands Library, Manchester, W.M. Christy & Sons Ltd MSS, Box 4, nos. 12-16, Patents and licences, 1876-78.
94. The Times, 15 Aug. 1864, p.8c-d.
95. Brotherton Library, University of Leeds (hereafter BLUL), Holden MSS, Box VI, Bdle 4, John Kennedy, Jr., to Isaac Holden, 5 Dec. 1843.
96. BLUL, Holden MSS, Box VI, Bdle 5, John Kennedy, Jr., to Isaac Holden, 8 Feb. 1844. In 1846 Kennedy joined Holden in his new worsted spinning factory in Bradford: E. Jennings, 'Sir Isaac Holden (1807-1897) "The First Comber in Europe"' (unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Bradford, 1982), p.33.
97. Dutton, Patent System, pp.69-85, 162-3, 175-201.
98. Leeds District Archives, T. & M. Bairstow Papers, I/2/159, 'Bundle of Papers relating to E. Heywood Affair'.
99. PRO, LO1/16, John Patterson's petition for letters patent, 'Improvements in Reaping Machinery', opposed by William Crosskill, Affidavit of John Patterson, 17 May 1854. Patterson held patents for reaping machines dated 29 June 1853 (1567) and 5 Dec. 1853 (2824); no specification was filed for the former.
100. PRO, LO1/16, John Patterson's petition for letters patent, opposed by William Crosskill, Affidavits of William Crosskill, 2 May 1854, 12 May 1854.
101. PRO, LO1/16, John Patterson's petition for letters patent, opposed by William Crosskill, Affidavits of Peter Love, 16 May 1854, and John Almack, 16 May 1854.
102. However, a patent for land rollers or clod crushers to John Patterson, dated 20 Nov. 1853 (2788), is annotated 'specification filed 22 June 1854 pursuant to order of the Lord Chancellor', which may have been the patent in dispute, pace the title of the PRO document. Two (provisional) patents for reaping machinery were obtained by Crosskill's son, Alfred, dated 25 April 1855 (922), and 27 April 1855 (950). One may only speculate whether Alfred Crosskill was keeping, or breaking, his promise to Patterson.
103. HCRO, Rose, Downs, & Thompson Ltd. Papers, DBR 1047, John R. Forman, receipt to J. Downs, 23 Dec. 1871; DBR 750B, James Downs' Private Cash Book, payments to J. Forman and F. Virtue, 1871-73.
104. For a similar assessment, see Shadwell, Industrial Efficiency, p.342.
105. The Times, 3 Dec. 1874, p.7e. The Inventors' Institute had been formed at the time of the 1862 International Exhibition, 'its objects being to protect the interests of inventors and benefit the public'; its chief activities seem to have been an annual dinner and campaigning for the reform of the patent system, with the 1883 Act occasioning its demise: The Times, 30 Nov. 1877, p.3e.
106. The Times, 3 Dec. 1874, p.7e. The Inventors' Institute had been formed at the time of the 1862 International Exhibition, 'its objects being to protect the interests of inventors and benefit the public'; its chief activities seem to have been an annual dinner and campaigning for the reform of the patent system, with the 1883 Act occasioning its demise: The Times, 30 Nov. 1877, p.3e.
107. The Times, 15 Oct. 1884, p.4a.
108. William Denny & Brothers, Shipbuilders, 1844; Denny & Company, Engineers, 1851 (Dumbarton, 1908), pp.17-22.
109. Engineer, 9 Jan. 1883, p.49.
110. University of Glasgow, Business Records Centre (hereafter GBRC), William Denny & Co. Papers, UGD/3/14/1, Minute Book of the Awards Committee Leven Shipyard, 1884-93, no. 2, Annual Reports, Dec. 1884, Dec. 1885, Dec. 1891.
111. Engineer, 9 Jan. 1883, p.49.
112. GBRC, William Denny & Co. Papers, UGD/3/14/1, Minute Book of the Awards Committee Leven Shipyard, 1884-93, no. 2, Annual Reports, Dec. 1884.
113. Ibid., Annual Reports, Dec. 1885, Dec. 1886.
114. Ibid., Annual Reports, Dec. 1886-Dec. 1900.
115. Ibid., Annual Reports, Dec. 1888, Dec. 1903.
116. Ibid., Annual Report, Dec. 1884.
117. Ibid., Annual Report, Dec. 1885.
118. William Denny & Brothers, pp.58-63.
119. Shadwell, Industrial Efficiency, pp.341-2.
120. Engineer, 6 April 1883, p.263.