Thomas Carr (1824-1874)
1824 January 23rd. Born in Durham the son of John Carr, professor of mathematics.
1862 Exhibited patent disintegrator mills, patent fan blower.
1865 Married at Clifton to Amelia Glover
1871 Living at Apsley (?), Richmond Road, Bristol: Thomas Carr (age 47 born Durham), Engineer Patentee. With his wife Amelia Carr (age 37 born Liverpool). Two visitors. Two servants.[1]
1874 March 29th. Died. Buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol
1875 Obituary [2]
Thomas Carr, third son of the late Rev. John Carr, professor of mathematics in the University of Durham, was born at Durham on 23rd January 1824, and as a boy very early showed a decided turn for mechanics.
At the age of fifteen he was placed with Messrs. Bury Curtis and Kennedy of Liverpool, where he remained three years, and distinguished himself by the correctness of his drawings.
He invented an improved steering apparatus for ships, which was highly approved by competent authorities, but was not generally adopted owing to the expense required in fixing.
Some time afterwards he brought out a new method of drying glue, which could be used at any time — a matter of great importance in the manufacture of this article; and it was disposed of to a manufacturer in Leeds.
He also originated several other inventions, the last and principal one, by which he is best known, being the disintegrator. This machine, of which he gave a description to the Institution (see Proceedings Inst. M. E. 1872 p. 28) is now extensively used in various trades and manufactures and in connection with agriculture; it is allowed to be one of the most remarkable and valuable inventions of recent years.
He also brought out a flour mill on the disintegrator principle, which is a good deal used in Scotland, and appreciated there.
His death took place at Bristol on 29th March 1874, at the age of 50.
He became a Member of the Institution in 1872.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1871 Census
- ↑ 1875 Institution of Mechanical Engineers: Obituaries Minutes of the Proceedings