Railway and canal engineer; inventor of patent windmill sails and of the prison treadwheel. He was born at Dilham in North Norfolk, England, where his father was a miller. In 1800 William was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and joiner, later working for a manufacturer of agricultural machinery. He invented and in 1807 patented what became the standard design for self-regulating windmill sails, then set up in business at Horning as a millwright. In 1812 he entered into a contract with Ransome and Son, the principal ironfounding firm in Ipwich, to develop their general engineering business. This he did successfully, in particular designing and installing various iron bridges and supervising the first Ipswich gasworks. For his work as Chairman of the Building Committee of the Great Exhibition 1851 and, in effect, consultant engineer for the building of the Crystal Palace, he received his knighthood.
Railway and canal engineer; inventor of patent windmill sails and of the prison treadwheel. He was born at Dilham in North Norfolk, England, where his father was a miller. In 1800 William was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and joiner, later working for a manufacturer of agricultural machinery. He invented and in 1807 patented what became the standard design for self-regulating windmill sails, then set up in business at Horning as a millwright. In 1812 he entered into a contract with Ransome and Son, the principal ironfounding firm in Ipwich, to develop their general engineering business. This he did successfully, in particular designing and installing various iron bridges and supervising the first Ipswich gasworks. For his work as Chairman of the Building Committee of the Great Exhibition 1851 and, in effect, consultant engineer for the building of the Crystal Palace, he received his knighthood.
Bio by: julia&keld
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