Talk:Jacob Perkins

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Bad References

Some of the references have incorrect statements. It's shocking to see this in an encypedia's, but this is the case. Jacob Perkins bought technology from the financially strapped Asa Spencer, and also employed him, took him to England, and even gave him credit, etc. This is the one clear case, that Jacob bought technology that people keep trying to credit him for inventing, when in reality, he didnt even operate the machines which did the work, Asa did. The only think Jacob really did with the spiralgraph technology, was buy the technology and patent it! (And now we can buy a toy to do it ourselves). It seems shocking that anyone would believe that a guy could be working on two business ventures concurrently, much less five, lol.. In Jacob's case, this is always evidennt. He had two business while in Phili. He made money in the USA on fire safety inventions while actually in England working on his new printing business, etc. I guess this is always the case, we want to believe that the guys running to the patent office, actually invented everything.

I'm also impressed with how professional his relationship was with Charles Heath. Two of the greatest business men of the day, were always hitting tough times, but never at the same time. They were both inept in handling money, perhaps this was the key to their success. lol. Perhaps if they were safe with money, we would not even know them. (Charles Heath also denied financial problems even after declaring bankrupcy...he just did it to enrich his brother, lol.).

You'll find real information from the Royal Society meetings about Jacob's technology, and financial records from Jacob Perkins.

You'll also find that the two had real help from their family, which is often "under-stated". Jacob's brother, ran the American ventures, and never appears to get any credit, because he's not involved in R&D but makes the "inventions" a success. Also, Jacob's nephews travel back and forth between England and America. Charles Heath's brother, was a financial backer in the new startup in England between Perkins and Heath. Both of these were real family ventures, with superstars shoved out front.

There is inter-marrying between engravers sons and daughters, artists, book publishers, etc. There clearly is more contact between artists and engravers then I would have ever suspected.

Muddle

This article seems to have become muddled. I will try to sort it out. Biscuittin 21:57, 22 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Done. I think it now makes a bit more sense. Biscuittin 22:18, 22 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]