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industrial biography-第51部分
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eminent distinction as an inventor; and was a large employer of
skilled labour; he looked back with pride to the forging of his early
days in Woolwich Arsenal。 He used to describe with much gusto; how
the old experienced hands; with whom he was a great favourite; would
crowd about him when forging his 〃Trivets;〃 some of which may to this
day be in use among Woolwich housewives for supporting the
toast…plate before the bright fire against tea time。 This was;
however; entirely contraband work; done 〃on the sly;〃 and strictly
prohibited by the superintending officer; who used kindly to signal
his approach by blowing his nose in a peculiar manner; so that all
forbidden jobs might be put out of the way by the time he entered the
shop。
We have referred to Maudslay's early dexterity in trivet…makinga
circumstance trifling enough in itselffor the purpose of
illustrating the progress which he had made in a branch of his art of
the greatest importance in tool and machine making。 Nothing pleased
him more in his after life than to be set to work upon an unusual
piece of forging; and to overcome; as none could do so cleverly as
he; the difficulties which it presented。 The pride of art was as
strong in him as it must have been in the mediaeval smiths; who
turned out those beautiful pieces of workmanship still regarded as
the pride of our cathedrals and old mansions。 In Maudslay's case; his
dexterity as a smith was eventually directed to machinery; rather
than ornamental work; though; had the latter been his line of labour;
we do not doubt that he would have reached the highest distinction。
The manual skill which our young blacksmith had acquired was such as
to give him considerable reputation in his craft; and he was spoken
of even in the London shops as one of the most dexterous hands in the
trade。 It was this circumstance that shortly after led to his removal
from the smithy in Woolwich Arsenal to a sphere more suitable for the
development of his mechanical ability。
We have already stated in the preceding memoir; that Joseph Bramah
took out the first patent for his lock in 1784; and a second for its
improvement several years later; but notwithstanding the acknowledged
superiority of the new lock over all others; Bramah experienced the
greatest difficulty in getting it manufactured with sufficient
precision; and at such a price as to render it an article of
extensive commerce。 This arose from the generally inferior character
of the workmanship of that day; as well as the clumsiness and
uncertainty of the tools then in use。 Bramah found that even the best
manual dexterity was not to be trusted; and yet it seemed to be his
only resource; for machine…tools of a superior kind had not yet been
invented。 In this dilemma he determined to consult an ingenious old
German artisan; then working with William Moodie; a general
blacksmith in Whitechapel。 This German was reckoned one of the most
ingenious workmen in London at the time。 Bramah had several long
interviews with him; with the object of endeavouring to solve the
difficult problem of how to secure precise workmanship in
lock…making。 But they could not solve it; they saw that without
better tools the difficulty was insuperable; and then Bramah began to
fear that his lock would remain a mere mechanical curiosity; and be
prevented from coming into general use。
He was indeed sorely puzzled what next to do; when one of the
hammermen in Moodie's shop ventured to suggest that there was a young
man in the Woolwich Arsenal smithy; named Maudslay; who was so
ingenious in such matters that 〃nothing bet him;〃 and he recommended
that Mr。 Bramah should have a talk with him upon the subject of his
difficulty。 Maudslay was at once sent for to Bramah's workshop; and
appeared before the lock…maker; a tall; strong; comely young fellow;
then only eighteen years old。 Bramah was almost ashamed to lay his
case before such a mere youth; but necessity constrained him to try
all methods of accomplishing his object; and Maudslay's suggestions
in reply to his statement of the case were so modest; so sensible;
and as the result proved; so practical; that the master was
constrained to admit that the lad before him had an old head though
set on young shoulders。 Bramah decided to adopt the youth's
suggestions; made him a present on the spot; and offered to give him
a job if he was willing to come and work in a town shop。 Maudslay
gladly accepted the offer; and in due time appeared before Bramah to
enter upon his duties。
As Maudslay had served no regular apprenticeship; and was of a very
youthful appearance; the foreman of the shop had considerable doubts
as to his ability to take rank alongside his experienced hands。 But
Maudslay soon set his master's and the foreman's mind at rest。
Pointing to a worn…out vice…bench; he said to Bramah; 〃Perhaps if I
can make that as good as new by six o'clock to…night; it will satisfy
your foreman that I am entitled to rank as a tradesman and take my
place among your men; even though I have not served a seven years'
apprenticeship。〃 There was so much self…reliant ability in the
proposal; which was moreover so reasonable; that it was at once
acceded to。 Off went Maudslay's coat; up went his shirt sleeves; and
to work he set with a will upon the old bench。 The vice…jaws were
re…steeled 〃in no time;〃 filed up; re…cut; all the parts cleaned and
made trim; and set into form again。 By six o'clock; the old vice was
screwed up to its place; its jaws were hardened and 〃let down〃 to
proper temper; and the old bench was made to look so smart and neat
that it threw all the neighbouring benches into the shade! Bramah and
his foreman came round to see it; while the men of the shop looked
admiringly on。 It was examined and pronounced 〃a first…rate job。〃
This diploma piece of work secured Maudslay's footing; and next
Monday morning he came on as one of the regular hands。
He soon took rank in the shop as a first…class workman。 Loving his
art; he aimed at excellence in it; and succeeded。 For it must be
understood that the handicraftsman whose heart is in his calling;
feels as much honest pride in turning out a piece of thoroughly good
workmanship; as the sculptor or the painter does in executing a
statue or a picture。 In course of time; the most difficult and
delicate jobs came to be entrusted to Maudslay; and nothing gave him
greater pleasure than to be set to work upon an entirely new piece of
machinery。 And thus he rose; naturally and steadily; from hand to
head work。 For his manual dexterity was the least of his gifts。 He
possessed an intuitive power of mechanical analysis and synthesis。 He
had a quick eye to perceive the arrangements requisite to effect
given purposes; and whenever a difficulty arose; his inventive mind
set to work to overcome it。
His fellow…workmen were not slow to recognise his many admirable
qualities; of hand; mind; and heart; and he became not only the
favourite; but the hero of the shop。 Perhaps he owed something to his
fine personal appearance。 Hence on gala…days; when the men turned out
in procession; 〃Harry〃 was usually selected to march at their head
and carry the flag。 His conduct as a son; also; was as admirable as
his qualities as a workman。 His father dying shortly after Maudslay
entered Bramah's concern; he was accustomed to walk down to Woolwich
every Saturday night; and hand over to his mother; for whom he had
the tenderest regard; a considerable share of his week's wages; and
this he continued to do as long as she lived。
Notwithstanding his youth; he was raised from one post to another;
until he was appointed; by unanimous consent; the head foreman of the
works; and was recognised by all who had occasion to do business
there as 〃Bramah's right…hand man。〃 He not only won the heart of his
master; butwhat proved of far greater importance to himhe also
won the heart of his master's pretty housemaid; Sarah Tindel by name;
whom he married; and she went hand…in…hand with him through life; an
admirable 〃help meet;〃 in every way worthy of the noble character of
the great mechanic。 Maudslay was found especially useful by his
master in devising the tools for making his patent locks; and many
were the beautiful contrivances which he invented for the purpose of
ensuring their more accurate and speedy manufacture; with a minimum
degree of labour; and without the need of any large amount of manual
dexterity on the part of the workman。 The lock was so delicate a
machine; that the identity of the several parts of which it was
composed was found to be an absolute necessity。 Mere handicraft;
however skilled; could not secure the requisite precision of
workmanship; nor could the parts be turned out in sufficient quantity
to meet any large demand。 It was therefore requisite to devise
machine…tools which should not blunder; nor turn o
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