Dear Mike,
Without having the Patent paperwork (& the data you have), makes dating
difficult to substantiate really, but from what I have seen from all the
postings so far, is that they are generalised dates for discussion - it's the
definitive that is sought! - so your part in this has been useful thanks.
(There were flat ropes of course, & some of the later ones were 'metal' I
think?).
To be direct to the point, in effect Bullivant's 'reinvented' - what was then
and is indeed now - the true wire rope that we have today. If you were to see
the complexity of the many rope-weave cross-sections you would see my point.
Granted there were others making stuff during the same period, but they were
not the same: even today there are leaders in specific fields as there were
then, and Bullivant was the market leader then, making very high spec.
product for all conceivable purposes and requirements - and deservedly proud
of it. There is an old saying "a good wire rope is cheaper than an accident",
and as prev. stated Bullivant's said that after 20 yrs. of usage only now
(1906), could real comparisons be made. Things have changed a bit these days!
As to the different types of ropeway, yes true, but one can say the same
thing about aircraft, cars, trains, etc......... indeed anything really I
suppose. Taking aircraft, the Wright Bros. invented the idea, but it was
others who pushed it on - via Patents as well - so all sorts of people can
claim to have invented the idea - different variations on the theme of
course, & progress in other words.
It is interesting to note that in 1906 there were no active Patents on
ropeways. A question: how long was a Patent valid for during the mid to
latter part of the 1800's? If 50 yrs. this would make things interesting:
however, I suspect 25 yrs.? What other Patents exist for the earlier
'models'?
As to who used what, where, when (and how) before, and who Patented what,
where, and when, is indeed a bit 'foggy' as we all realise, so......, we will
unfortunately have to wait until someone does full research and writes a
definitive book on the whole lot..............!
Regards, Bernard.
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