...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7114894 | Key cutting machine and method A key cutting machine for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank is disclosed. The key cutting machine comprises a pair of cutting heads and a clamp mechanism. Each cutting head includes a cutting wheel having an edge and an alignment structure mounted behind the cu... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7112018 | Automatic position-locking tool carrier apparatus and method An automatic position-locking tool carrier apparatus and method include a carriage that rides on a first rail and a second rail translatably connected to the carriage perpendicular to the first rail. Pinion gears that engage with the two rails are attached to the ca... | 09/26/2006 |
| 6283019 | Method for engraving printing cylinders In a method for engraving printing cylinders for rotogravure in an electronic engraving machine, at least two engraving lanes with predetermined lane widths lying side-by-side in an axial direction of the printing cylinder are engraved with a respectively... | 09/04/2001 |
| 5894354 | Method and apparatus for engraving patterns with and without image feedback An engraving system and method for engraving a pattern, such as an intermeshing pattern, using a plurality of engraving devices is disclosed. The engraving system and method sequences and engraves the plurality of engraving devices such that when the area... | 04/13/1999 |
| 5663802 | Method and apparatus for engraving using multiple engraving heads This system and method relates to an engraving system and method for engraving a pattern using a plurality of engraving devices. The engraving system discloses apparatus and method for sequencing and engraving of the plurality of engraving devices such th... | 09/02/1997 |
| 5492057 | Method and apparatus for positioning at least one engraving head A system for locating a plurality of engraving heads on an engraver wherein a plurality of engraving heads are automatically positioned into a predetermined configuration. A mechanism for positioning the engraving heads preferably includes a leadscrew and... | 02/20/1996 |
| 5345983 | Four sided alternating woodworking planer with two sided copying system A woodworking planer having a main frame, a carriage slidingly mounted on the main frame to provide alternating longitudinal movement, a workpiece locking device also provided on the main frame for releasingly securing a workpiece in a fixed position rela... | 09/13/1994 |
| 4280775 | Hole drilling machine and work positioning system A system for controllably positioning printed circuit boards or the like for the automatic drilling of holes therein. A plurality of individual work positions is provided, together with corresponding work carrier plates having individual or groups of circ... | 07/28/1981 |