Daniel Chapman Stillson
Encyclopedia
Daniel Chapman Stillson was an American inventor of the modern adjustable pipe wrench
.
. He was the son of William Stillson and Nancy Chapman. He married Ellen Raynes Davis on April 18, 1855.
He was a machinist during the Civil War
, and served on David Glasgow Farragut’s first voyage as a Vice-Admiral. At the end of the Civil War, Stillson returned to Charlestown, Massachusetts
, and eventually he moved to Somerville
. He then worked as a machinist at the J.J. Walworth Company in Cambridgeport
. While at Walworth Company, he developed his wrench. On September 13, 1870, he was issued his patent. Stillson was paid about $80,000 in royalties during his lifetime.
He died on August 23, 1899.
Pipe wrench
The pipe wrench is an adjustable wrench used for turning soft iron pipes and fittings with a rounded surface. The design of the adjustable jaw allows it to rock in the frame, such that any forward pressure on the handle tends to pull the jaws tighter together. Teeth angled in the direction of turn...
.
Biography
He was born March 25, 1826 in Durham, New HampshireDurham, New Hampshire
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,664 people, 2,882 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town. The population density was 565.5 people per square mile . There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 130.5 per square mile...
. He was the son of William Stillson and Nancy Chapman. He married Ellen Raynes Davis on April 18, 1855.
He was a machinist during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and served on David Glasgow Farragut’s first voyage as a Vice-Admiral. At the end of the Civil War, Stillson returned to Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and is located on a peninsula north of downtown Boston. Charlestown was originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; it became a city in 1847 and was annexed by Boston on January 5, 1874...
, and eventually he moved to Somerville
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
. He then worked as a machinist at the J.J. Walworth Company in Cambridgeport
Cambridgeport
Cambridgeport is one of the neighborhoods of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, the Charles River, the Grand Junction Railroad, and River Street. The neighborhood contains predominantly residential homes, many of the triple decker style common in New England...
. While at Walworth Company, he developed his wrench. On September 13, 1870, he was issued his patent. Stillson was paid about $80,000 in royalties during his lifetime.
He died on August 23, 1899.