Joseph B. Fenby

Joseph Beverley Fenby was an inventor in St Johns, Worcester, England.[1] who was granted a patent on 13 January 1863 (Brit. pat. 101)[2] for an unsuccessful device called the “Electro-Magnetic Phonograph”,[3] making him the first to use the term "phonograph", even before Thomas Edison. His concept detailed a system that would record a sequence of keyboard strokes onto paper tape. Although no model or workable device was ever made, it is often seen as a link to the concept of punched paper for player piano rolls (1880s), as well as Herman Hollerith's punch card tabulator (used in the 1890 census), a distant precursor to the modern computer. Fenby was well known in his home community because he was both the fire chief and mayor.

Fenby is also known for other inventions, notably the "Fenby folding chair", patented in the United States in 1881 (US patent number 244,216[4]) and an associated camp stool.[5] The chair became known as the Tripolina and inspired many similar designs.

He died in June 1903, in King's Norton, England, UK, aged 60.[6]

References

External links

Joseph B. Fenby, article on the creator of the Tripolina chair

Notes

  1. ↑ Godwin, George (July 18, 1863), The Builder, Volume 21, Covent Garden, London: The Builder, p. 522
  2. ↑ Koenigsberg, Allen (1990), The patent history of the phonograph, 1877-1912: A source book containing 2,118 U.S. sound recording patents & 1,013 inventors arranged numerically, chronologically, and alphabetically : illustrated by 101 original patent drawings with detailed commentaries on each : additional historical essays on the U.S. patent system, APM Press, p. 25
  3. ↑ His Majesty's Stationery Office (May 19, 1863), The London Gazette: the Appointed Organ for All Announcements of the Executive, Whitehall, London, England: Published by Authority, p. 2641
  4. ↑ "J. B. FENBY, FOLDING CHAIR". United States Patent and Trademark Office. July 12, 1881. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  5. ↑ "J. B. FENBY, CAMP STOOL". United States Patent and Trademark Office. July 12, 1881. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  6. ↑ "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
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