xvi Proceedings. \December loth, igoi. 



the first practical steam loom, in 1805. This produced a famine 

 in yarn which continued until 1834, when the self-acting mule 

 was invented by Richard Roberts. It is now used extensively 

 ail over the world, and is one of the inventions that have placed 

 Lancashire manufacturers in the front rank. Roberts was one 

 of the greatest mechanical inventors of the nineteenth century. 

 Although he never went to school, he was an accomplished 

 mathematician and draughtsman, and would never permit 

 experimental work to proceed until high-class detailed drawings 

 were prepared. Amongst his many other inventions may be 

 mentioned the slide lathe, the metal planing machine, the 

 pentagraph automatic drilling machine, and the jacquard 

 punching machine for punching plates for boilers and for bridge 

 building. Although the men of Manchester had agreed to allow 

 him ;^i,ooo a year if he would come to live in Manchester, 

 he died in poor circumstances in London, and was buried in 

 Kensal Green Cemetery. It is to be hoped that some day we may 

 have a monument to his memory in Manchester. 



John Wilkinson was born at CUfton, Cumberland, but 

 removed to Furness as a boy, and at one time had an iron-works 

 at Warrington. He invented the first iron boat, at Cartmel, in 

 1786. He also invented the steam blower, and made the first 

 boring machine for engine cylinders. In course of time he 

 became prosperous, and is a somewhat isolated instance of a 

 wealthy inventor. 



William Sturgeon, the inventor of the electric magnet, was 

 born near Lancaster. He enlisted in the Militia, and then in 

 the Royal Artillery, He began to study thunderstorms, lightning, 

 and electricity, and in 1825 presented to the Society of Arts 

 his first soft iron electro-magnet, for which he was awarded a 

 premium of 30 guineas and a silver mediil. He started the 

 Afina/s of Electtiiit}, to which Joule was a contributor. He also 

 lectuied at the Mechanics' Institute and the Salford Lyceum. 

 His life was one per[jetual struggle with adversity, and, in 1850, 

 the first Bishop of Manchester (Dr. Prince Lee), Mr. E. W. 

 Binney, and the Literary and Philosoijhical Society of Man- 

 chester petitioned the Government on his behalf, obtaining for 

 him a grant of j[^2oo and an annuity of ;^5o, which, however 



