Historical records matching Frederick Grinnell
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About Frederick Grinnell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Grinnell
Frederick Grinnell (1836–1905) was a pioneer in fire safety and was the creator of the first practical automatic fire sprinkler.
Early life and education
He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1855, he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Career
Earlier in his career, he was draftsman, construction engineer, and manager for various railroad manufacturers. He designed and oversaw construction of more than 100 locomotives. In 1869 he purchased a controlling interest in a company that manufactured fire-extinguishing apparatus. Grinnell licensed a sprinkler device patented by Henry S. Parmalee, then worked to improve the invention, and in 1881 patented the automatic sprinkler that bears his name. He continued to improve the device and in 1890 invented the glass disc sprinkler, essentially the same as that in use today. Such sprinklers are called le Grinnells in France. He secured some 40 distinct patents for improvements on his sprinklers and invented a dry pipe valve and automatic fire-alarm system as well.
General Fire Extinguisher Co.
In 1892, Grinnell organized the General Fire Extinguisher Co. in Providence, R.I., an amalgamation of several smaller companies, which became the foremost organization in its field of manufacture. Grinnell died in 1905 in his home town of New Bedford. In 1919, General Fire Extinguisher Co. was renamed Grinnell Co. In 1969, Grinnell Co. was purchased by ITT (International Telephone & Telegraph) and became ITT Grinnell. A few years later, ITT Grinnell sold its US industrial activities to Tyco International. Grinnell remains today a trade mark inside the Tyco group. In 2001, Grinnell Fire Protection was merged with the Simplex Time Recorder Company to form SimplexGrinnell, which is the largest fire protection company in the world. ITT Grinnell supporting products are still sold today by Anvil International in the US and PSS in Germany.
Grinnell was a director of several banks and manufacturing companies. He was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1984.
Inventor, engineer, and industrialist, Frederick Grinnell was the creator of the first practical automatic fire sprinkler, which has made an enormous contribution to fire safety.
Earlier in his career, he was draftsman, construction engineer, and manager for various railroad manufacturers. He designed and built more than 100 locomotives.
In 1869 he purchased a controlling interest in a company that manufactured fire-extinguishing apparatus. Grinnell licensed a sprinkler device patented by Henry S. Parmelee, then worked to improve the invention, and in 1881 patented the automatic sprinkler that bears his name. He continued to improve the device and in 1890 invented the glass disc sprinkler, essentially the same as that in use today.
He secured some 40 distinct patents for improvements on his sprinklers and invented a dry pipe valve and automatic fire-alarm system as well.
In 1892, Grinnell organized the General Fire Extinguisher Co., an amalgamation of several smaller companies, which became the foremost organization in its field of manufacture. Today the Grinnell Fire Protection Co. is a part of Tyco International Ltd.
He resided in Providence Rhode Island for many years, but in 1894 he removed to his native town of New bedford, and there resided in the Grinnell Mansion on County Street, the former residence of the Honorable Joseph Grinnell, until his death October 21, 1905. His remains rest in the family yard in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Mr. Grinnell possessed a gentel and kind nature, and had a most attractive personality, making many friends and retaining them. During his busy and sucessful career he ever maintained a high reputation for honor and for upright dealings, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 28 2020, 3:56:35 UTC
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Frederick Grinnell's Timeline
| 1836 |
August 14, 1836
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New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States
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| 1870 |
November 19, 1870
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New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA
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| 1878 |
1878
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| 1905 |
October 21, 1905
Age 69
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New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, USA, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States
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