Sam Sunderland
of Keighley, Yorkshire
Inventor and patentee of the 'Sunderland' gear generating process.
He patented a number of processes and improvements relating to gear production. Examples of his US patents: [2] US Patent No. 948,830, 1910; [3] US Patent No. 1,187,200, 1916; here US Patent No. 1,758,067, 1930
1935 Death notice: 'Mr. Sam Sunderland. Keighley Mr. Sam Sunderland, Lyndhurst, Utley, Keighley, head of Sam Sunderland, wheelcutter makers, Fleece Mills, Kelghley, died yesterday, aged 70. He was taken ill during Wednesday night. Mr. Sunderland had a long connection with Temple Street Methodist Church, and his younger days he played with the old Football Club. He a leaves widow and three daughters.' [2]
1936 'SHIPLEY FIRM'S DEAL. Keighley Works Change Hands.
Messrs. J. Parkinson and Son, machine tool makers, of Shipley, took over on Saturday the Keighley wheel cutting firm of Sam Sunderland, Fleece Mills. There has been a close connection between the two firms for some time, for Messrs. Parkinson and Son have made and sold under licence the "Sunderland gear Planer," a machine that revolutionised the method of producing gear teeth. The firm of Sam Sunderland was owned by the late Mr. Sam Sunderland, and was founded by his father, Mr. John Sunderland, as wool comb makers. Later a gear cutting department was started, and it was sold in 1920 to David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield) Ltd. Mr. Sam Sunderland then concentrated on the making of cutters for the Sunderland gear planer. The business is carried on by some staff for the present.' [3]