Oldham, John, 1779–1840
Biography
John Oldham (1779–1840)[1] was an Irish engineer, now best known for the Oldham coupler. Oldham also paid attention to marine propulsion, and in 1817 he obtained a patent (No. 4169) for propelling ships by means of paddles worked by a steam-engine, an attempt to imitate the motion of a paddle when used by a human. In 1820 he patented a further improvement (No. 4249), the paddles being placed on a shaft across the ship, and caused to revolve, being feathered by an adaptation of the gearing used in the former patent. It was used in the Aaron Manby, the first seagoing iron ship. A further development of the idea resulted in the construction of a feathering paddle-wheel, which was patented in 1827 (No. 5455).(wikipedia, 2023)
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
John Oldham Steamship patent
Patent for the invention of improvements of his former patent (1817 October 18) propelling ships and vessels on seas, rivers and canals. Per wikipedia, "Oldham also paid attention to marine propulsion, and in 1817 he obtained a patent (No. 4169) for propelling ships by means of paddles worked by a steam-engine."