Isaiah Jennings

"JENNINGS, Isaiah, 1782-1862, American inventor; began as blacksmith, invented machine for making thimbles and eyelet holes, started business in England then returned to US, invented cigar-shaped boat, invented threshing machine (1810), invented steam boiler for pressure up to 500 psi, invented a pump, repeating gun (1822), a liquid fuel for lamps (I&T15)."

• Source - A Biographical Dictionary of People in Engineering: From the Earliest Records Until 2000 by Carl W. Hall, page 113.

"ISAIAH JENNINGS, who was born in Frankford, Connecticut, 1782, and who began work at an early age as a blacksmith, in making by hand, thimbles for sailors, used in sails and rigging, which led him 'to invent a machine for making thimbles and eyelet holes, the perfection of which cost him much time and labor. He went to Liverpool in 1808 and started the business ; but war breaking out, his plans were frustrated, and he returned to the United States. Having made some money in England, he commenced business in Southport, Connecticut, taking a partner, but the partner took his money and broke him up. He next invented his cigar boat, consisting of two hollow airtight tubes, with a space of six feet between, the work framed on sleepers and worked by hand. It ran in opposition to the Brooklyn horse ferry, crossing in less than half the time. In 1810, he invented a thrashing machine, the first that did not destroy the straw, and the first one put in operation in Duchess County, New York. In 1812 he invented a steam boiler to stand the pressure of 500 pounds, which was ap-proved by Oliver Evans. During the war hit worked at Leggert's foundery on cannon. He subsequently invented a new pump and sent it to Washington. A Mr. Perkins, of London, copied it and took out a patent. Mr. JeDnings was too poor to prosecute him and the Gove'rnment refused to pro-tact him. In 1822; he made a repeating gun with twelve Charges, one barrel, sliding stock. In 1823, he invented n steam engine on the same principle as locomotive boilers now in use. He built this engine before Stevenson started his manufactory ; and it has been claimed both Stevenson and Perkins took their ideas from Mr. Jennings' invention. In 1323 and 1824, he invented instantaneous matcj.es, called afterwards " Loco Foco." He sold out three fourths of his right to Mr. Beman, of New York, and the receipt to Mr. Jpnes. of London, for $1,000, realizing in all some $11,000. He next obtained a patent for fluid for lamps. The, Mechanics' Institute, in 1837, awarded Mr. Jennings a medal for the best carbureted alcohol and burner for producing light, and in 1848, Mr. J. received two medals for portable liquid gas lamps. He died in 1862."

• Source - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/men-of-progress-celebrat...