Drill Press, Used by the Wright Brothers, circa 1895

Summary

The Wright brothers' bicycle shop contained several large power tools primarily used for making and repairing bikes. Some were also used to build their early gliders and airplanes. The shop building did not have electricity, so the Putnam lathe, Crescent band saw and Barnes drill press were powered by overhead belts and shafts connected to a single-cylinder gas engine.

The Wright brothers' bicycle shop contained several large power tools primarily used for making and repairing bikes. Some were also used to build their early gliders and airplanes. The shop building did not have electricity, so the Putnam lathe, Crescent band saw and Barnes drill press were powered by overhead belts and shafts connected to a single-cylinder gas engine.

Artifact

Drill press

Date Made

circa 1895

Greenfield Village
 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Wright Cycle Shop

Object ID

37.814.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Iron (Metal)
Leather

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 68.0 in

Width: 15.0 in

Length: 44.0 in

Inscriptions

W. F. & J. BARNES & CO., ROCKFORD, ILL. U.S.A. PAT. SEPT. 23, 83 [cast in base]

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