Richard Roberts' Lathe c.1816
This is a very early example of a lathe made by Richard Roberts of Manchester.
In 1816, after two years working with Henry Maudsley, Roberts moved to Manchester and established his own business. he had learned the importance of accuracy from Maudsley and took to his to new levels with his own machine tools.
Roberts was a highly-inventive engineer and inventor who led the way for production and precise engineering. He built a wide range of machine tools and also pioneered standard gauges. His designs contributed significantly to the process of mechanisation and his machine tools helped the growth of factories, the textile industry and the railways.
Lathes rotate a piece of metal or wood so that it can be shaped by a cutting tool. This lathe, powered by a foot-operated pedal, could work larger pieces of metal at greater speeds and with greater accuracy than ever before.
Lathes are the first recorded machine tools. Being able to make machine tools meant being able to make parts for other machines. Manchester led the world in creating machine tools by the mid-19th century.
This example is typical of Roberts' thoughtful approach to machine construction and is designed for turning shafts or similar components. Its remarkable solidity ensured accuracy under load.
Despite being considered a pioneer of modern mechanical mechanisms he lacked business sense and Roberts died in poverty.
Seen in the Making the Modern World Hall at the Science Museum, South Kensington.
Richard Roberts' Lathe c.1816
This is a very early example of a lathe made by Richard Roberts of Manchester.
In 1816, after two years working with Henry Maudsley, Roberts moved to Manchester and established his own business. he had learned the importance of accuracy from Maudsley and took to his to new levels with his own machine tools.
Roberts was a highly-inventive engineer and inventor who led the way for production and precise engineering. He built a wide range of machine tools and also pioneered standard gauges. His designs contributed significantly to the process of mechanisation and his machine tools helped the growth of factories, the textile industry and the railways.
Lathes rotate a piece of metal or wood so that it can be shaped by a cutting tool. This lathe, powered by a foot-operated pedal, could work larger pieces of metal at greater speeds and with greater accuracy than ever before.
Lathes are the first recorded machine tools. Being able to make machine tools meant being able to make parts for other machines. Manchester led the world in creating machine tools by the mid-19th century.
This example is typical of Roberts' thoughtful approach to machine construction and is designed for turning shafts or similar components. Its remarkable solidity ensured accuracy under load.
Despite being considered a pioneer of modern mechanical mechanisms he lacked business sense and Roberts died in poverty.
Seen in the Making the Modern World Hall at the Science Museum, South Kensington.