National Republican., 1888-02-26
THOMAS JnFFsHsoN MAYALL.
How Poor B"y Became Leader
Among Inventors.

Thomas Jefferson Mayall, who died ut
his home on summer avcmuc, Reading, ON
saturday evening, was one of the most
noted inventors in the United States, and
hc had procured more patents than any
other man in this country. Mr.. Mayall
was about ~ years of age. The direct
cause of his death was heart trouble
brought un by Il cold contracted in Wash
ingtun several weeks ago while he was
there on business. He was descended from
II remarkable family of inventors. llcwas
born in North Berwick Me-, Aug. 10, lS2i,
and obtained work ut the mills at Great
Falls, y. H.. when only years old rs bod
bin boy AT - cents per day. After working
here for two years he started for Boston.
Upon arrival here his worldly possession
consisted of only - and Il small bundle of
clothes. lie had not friend or acquaint-
ancc in this city. After much suffering
and hunger he obtained employment at
RoXbury in paper, mill ut - per
week He managed, by working
have balance of 80 cents over ~ the end
of the week. While at this mill he made
the first rubber belt ever used in this
country, and also made a number of i'm
prOvcmcntS in the factory. One year later
he made Il model of the first cylinder
printing machine ever made, from which
has grown, not only the present industry
of wall paper printing, but of calico print
ing uS we'll for calico printing was then
done on blocks, like paper printing. rms
machine made 1000 rolls of wall paper
each day, printed in two culOrs. BY the
hand system the work of Il man each daN
was but 100 rolls in one color, Shortly
after this he experimental with rubber ~
IL glue, and, while at work upon this, III
hit upon II method of producing satin
faced paper. Not long attCrward he wen
to work for Mr. Goodyear in the baScmcn
of the building that is now owned ant
occupied by the Boston Betting Company
This was about the year ISL, and durin
this period he discovered the method u
vulcunizing rubber
IIpwaS one of the most prolific inventor
of rubber goods and articles, and ha'
taken out over POO patents in this countr,
and over 20 in England. Among his, mos
prominent inventions were rcVOlVrrS
guns, automatic batteries, and revolving
cannon. lie visited the various capital
! of Europe, where he W Us received, an'
where his cannon was introduced. Th
cannon was Il brccch-luadcr the brceCI
being shaped like something like hat of
Colts revolver. by means of machinery
operated by steam, this gun could b
/ loaded and fired forty times minute, AN
, needed only one man tOallrlll H. me Pre-
ccsscs Of loading, firing, swabbing, Nc., al
: 20 ON At the same time
/ lie also invented cannon shcl Is, who's
edges were sharpcnd like chiScls, 50 tina
they would bore through the arnor ,
ships. Another invention was Coilc
n, hullng machine, which he introduce
: into Brazil lie invented printing press,
=, and srt-acting drawhridgcS for railroads
> and at the time of his death hr WAS I
= work ON an electric elevated railroad an
electric cable road; also, ON II apncumat
i elevated railroad which he intended
y. put in operation in Boston and Washing
b, ton, u. G. \ hearing was to have be"
given him before the legislature III
l.. month. lie was interested in undc
:, ground telegraph experiments and M
=, mcruus other inventions AT the time
:, his death
i lie was one of the most prominent cit
i HcnS of Reading, and took considerable Il
" tcrcst in the welfare Of the town. /
" established large rubber factory the
=, several years ago, which was destroyed !
, fire. Ills office was at Nu. " State sire,
-, Boston.
" The deceased leaves Il widow and Ol
II brother, james, who is Il minister and q
" president Of Madison College, Michiga