Richard March Hoe
Encyclopedia
Richard March Hoe was an American
inventor who designed an improved printing press
.
. He was the son of Robert Hoe
(1784–1833), an English-born American mechanic who, with his brothers-in-law, Peter and Matthew Smith, established a steam-run manufactory of printing presses in New York City. His father owned a steam-powered manufactory of printing presses, which Richard joined at fifteen. He became a senior member of his father's firm in 1833. On his father's death, he became head of the R. Hoe & Company
.
rotary printing press
that placed the type on a revolving cylinder, a design much faster than the old flatbed printing press. It received in 1847, and was placed in commercial use the same year. In its early days, it was variously called the "Hoe lightning
press," and "Hoe's Cylindrical-Bed Press," and was later developed into the "Hoe web perfecting press."
In 1870 he developed a rotary press that printed both sides of a page in a single operation.
Hoe's press took a roll of paper five miles long, which was put through the machine at the rate of 800 feet (243.8 m) a minute. As the sheets came out, they were passed over a knife which cut them apart, and then they were then run through an apparatus which folded them for the mail or for carriers. These completely printed and folded newspapers were delivered as quickly as the eye could follow them.
Early on, Hoe added the production of steel saws to his business and introduced improvements to their manufacture. In 1837, he visited England and obtained a patent for a better process of grinding saws. In connection with his factory, Hoe established an apprentice's school where free instruction was given.
Hoe was a Freemason, and died in Florence
, Italy. His nephew, Robert Hoe
(1839–1909), wrote a notable Short History of the Printing Press in 1902 and made further improvements in printing.
/ Hunt's Point section of the Bronx. The estate was sold in 1904 by his family to developers speculating on the subway extension into the Bronx. His mansion was located at present day Printers Park at the corner or Aldus Street and Hoe Avenue in the Bronx. A newly reconstructed park has recently open in the end of April 2010, equipped with a play structure that is inspired by the rotary printing press.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
inventor who designed an improved printing press
Printing press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
.
Biography
Hoe was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was the son of Robert Hoe
Robert Hoe
Robert Hoe was born in Leicestershire, England. He was indentured to a joiner, in 1802 emigrated to the United States, worked for a time as a master carpenter, and subsequently was an associate of his brothers-in-law, Peter and Matthew Smith, in the business of carpentry and in the manufacture of...
(1784–1833), an English-born American mechanic who, with his brothers-in-law, Peter and Matthew Smith, established a steam-run manufactory of printing presses in New York City. His father owned a steam-powered manufactory of printing presses, which Richard joined at fifteen. He became a senior member of his father's firm in 1833. On his father's death, he became head of the R. Hoe & Company
R. Hoe & Company
R. Hoe & Company was a New York City based printing press manufacturer established by Peter Smith, Matthew Smith , and their brother-in-law, English emigrant Robert Hoe , in 1805 as Smith, Hoe & Company.-Early Years:...
.
Inventions
In 1843, Richard invented a lithographicLithography
Lithography is a method for printing using a stone or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface...
rotary printing press
Rotary printing press
A rotary printing press is a printing press in which the images to be printed are curved around a cylinder. Printing can be done on large number of substrates, including paper, cardboard, and plastic. Substrates can be sheet feed or unwound on a continuous roll through the press to be printed and...
that placed the type on a revolving cylinder, a design much faster than the old flatbed printing press. It received in 1847, and was placed in commercial use the same year. In its early days, it was variously called the "Hoe lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
press," and "Hoe's Cylindrical-Bed Press," and was later developed into the "Hoe web perfecting press."
Hoe's press took a roll of paper five miles long, which was put through the machine at the rate of 800 feet (243.8 m) a minute. As the sheets came out, they were passed over a knife which cut them apart, and then they were then run through an apparatus which folded them for the mail or for carriers. These completely printed and folded newspapers were delivered as quickly as the eye could follow them.
Early on, Hoe added the production of steel saws to his business and introduced improvements to their manufacture. In 1837, he visited England and obtained a patent for a better process of grinding saws. In connection with his factory, Hoe established an apprentice's school where free instruction was given.
Hoe was a Freemason, and died in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Italy. His nephew, Robert Hoe
Robert Hoe III
Robert Hoe III was an American businessman and producer of printing press equipment. He succeeded Richard March Hoe as head of R. Hoe & Company, which continued its preeminence among printing-press makers...
(1839–1909), wrote a notable Short History of the Printing Press in 1902 and made further improvements in printing.
Hoe estate
Hoe lived with his wife, Mary, on a vast 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) estate, called Brightside, in the MorrisaniaMorrisania, Bronx
Morrisania is the historical name for the South Bronx and derives from the powerful and aristocratic Morris family, who at one time owned all of the Manor of Morrisania. Today the name is most commonly associated with the village of Morrisania, which is only a small corner of the original...
/ Hunt's Point section of the Bronx. The estate was sold in 1904 by his family to developers speculating on the subway extension into the Bronx. His mansion was located at present day Printers Park at the corner or Aldus Street and Hoe Avenue in the Bronx. A newly reconstructed park has recently open in the end of April 2010, equipped with a play structure that is inspired by the rotary printing press.