George Gilbert of New Haven, CT, received an 1849 patent for a stave-dressing machine. The year previous he had advertised such a machine in Scientific American; that ad gives two suppliers - Wm & E. T. Fitch of New Haven, and George Gilbert of nearby Westville.
Information Sources
- From an ad that ran in Scientific American, Volume 3 issues 37 through 49 (1848-06-03 through 1848-08-26):
Stave Dressing Machine.
THE undersigned are manufacturing and have now in operation, a machine for Dressing Rived Staves, which will dress 126 hogshead or 170 barrel staves per hour, with ONE HORSE POWER, and with TWO HORSES WILL DOUBLE THE NUMBER.
It will dress CROOKED and WINDING staves to perfection, and leave the full thickness on those with thin edge, a desideratum worthy of attention.
The machine is simple, compact and durable, and has received the approval of every practical Cooper that has witnessed its operations. We warrant it to perform FULLY EQUAL to our representation and shall be pleased to exhibit it to all who may favor us with a call. For further description and terms, apply to
WM & E. T. FITCH, 2d., New Haven, Conn., or
GEO. GILBERT, Westville, N. H. Co., Conn.
- Listed in Ken Cope's American Cooperage Machinery and Tools as "Fitch & Gilbert". The information is clearly taken from the above ad.
- In 1856 Gilbert patented a fly-trap, and in 1867 he was co-inventor on a patent for an ironing machine. See the patents section below.