James Archer
James Archer obtained patent on behalf of William Reilly for the three-speed gear some 11 days before Henry Sturmey - the other half of Sturmey-Archer.
1902 Amended patent application number 519 for improvements in speed gears for Velocopedes, Motor Cars and the like (Manchester). from James Archer, HMSO, 1902
1903 Agreement between James Archer and William Reilly for the sale of patent no 15,638 (1901) to the Three-Speed Gear Syndicate
1905 November (this date seems too late). Agreement between James Archer and William Reilly for the sale of patent no 15,638 (1901) to the three speed gear syndicate.
For a time, James Archer was foreman in the toolroom of Royce in Cooke Street, Manchester, succeeding William Reilly. James Archer's son, Len Archer, went to work for Rolls-Royce at Derby and became a test driver. During WW2 Len was a key figure in the factory which overhauled Merlin engines in India.[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 'In the Beginning - the Manchester Origins of Rolls-Royce' by Michael H Evans, Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, 2004