The Invention of a Pedal Driven Thresher : The History of the Invention as Revealed by Patent File Data

DOI IR Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 足踏み式回転脱穀機の発明 : 特許資料からみた成立前史
  • アシブミシキ カイテン ダッコクキ ノ ハツメイ トッキョ シリョウ カラ ミ

Search this article

Abstract

It is generally believed that the human powered thresher with arevolving cylinder (pedal driven thresher) was invented by a young mancalled Fukunaga Syoiti, who lived in Yamaguchi prefecture.In fact, a number of other people had devised similar machines andapplied for patents on them before Fukunaga.The various human powered threshers which were the subject ofpatent applications in the Meiji period can be grouped into four types,as follows;I Comb threshers, using parts like the teeth of a combII Beat threshers, containing parts like mallets or sticksIII Rub threshers, where grain is forced between saw teethN Flip threshers, using a revolving cylinder with many projections.There are two main arguments in this paper.Firstly, the designs of the various human powered machines in thepatent applications and registations are examined, in order to distinguishthe merely fanciful from the really practical inventions. Evidence ispresented as to why the only machines which were eventually selectedand put to practical use all belonged to type N.Secondly, concentrating on the development of the human poweredmachines like the threshers, the essential processes which made the appearanceof the motive power machines possible will be made clear.

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top