PERKINS, Jacob [1766-1849] -- American inventor: steel plates for bank-note printing, refrigeration

Among his inventions is a machine for cutting and heading nails at a single operation. He was the originator of using steel, instead of copper plates, for engraving banknotes. [HE]

His new plates made bank notes and other important documents much more difficult to counterfeit.

Jacob Perkins, who originated the substitution of steel-plate for copper-plate in fine engraving and printing, and who was associated in Philadelphia, some years from 1814, with the firm of Murray, Draper and Fairman banknote engravers, was a great-grandson of Matthew Perkins, his father and grandfather bearing the same Christian name. He was born at Newburyport, Mass., 9 July, 1766, and died at London, England, 30 July, 1849; his device for cutting and heading nails in one operation; his elaboration and perfection of the steam gun; his invention of the pleometer [a sort of speedometer for ships -R.] and orthometer; his method of warming and ventilating rooms and holds of ships, and his new application of known principles to the improvement of the steam engine, are examples of the genius and inventive faculty which gave him high standing in the scientific world of his day.
[PGM VII:2 (Mar 1919)]

1787

~1800

1834

1840/05