Talk:Jacob Perkins

Bought Technology -Asa Spencer
Not everyone who runs to the patent office is the true inventor. Asa Spencer sold spirlgraph technology to Jacob Perkins, and Jacob himself never even operated the machines (Asa was always employed, and traveled on the same trips as Jacob Perkins). It's much the same as a spiralgraph toy sold today, but worked on engraving plates. What's amazing, is that Jacob Perkins gives credit to Asa, but history keeps trying to erase him. Asa had too many kids too young, and was financialy forced to sell out to Jacob. Gideon (the engraver), was able to be a partner, as he was not so fincially strapped. Asa was not a partner, as he needed the money, NOW (as the commericals say today). Jacob was very happy to have this technology, and bragged about it, and Asa. We still use it today on our US Currency, and it is an important anti-forgery measure. — Preceding unsigned comment added by NormBograham (talk • contribs) 17:57, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

Ommited controversary, History Integrity problems?
I'm not doubting Perkins initial inventions. But these taught him how to patent, and clearly he bought some technology to patent himself. Since Perkins was in the printing business, which was experiencing a boom, it's also strange that he was slightly enhancing some inventions, and running to the patent office. I think history has been warped by his infulence in publishing. Note, some early encypledia articles are incorrect, and easily proven to be incorrect. This false knowlege, is hard to erase, since it's now "public" and searchable, and the newer info is not free. I dont know, but clearly Perkins either was "buying new technology to patent" (Asa Spencer), or he just enhanced other inventions and ran and patented it, or perhaps he stole it, etc. There are also some lawsuits. The truth is vague (even in todays context). His brother ran the "family" printing business in the USA while he was in England. By coincidence he patented new technology, which basically consisted of boxing in technology printed in the USA by the family business. He might also have had his infulenence exagerated by time, and when he did give credit to others (Asa Spencer), everyone ommits it. Perhaps, the working relationship is not easily understood by todays business practices, Heath and Perkins moved money between themselves via their venture, and this support of a business partner, in external ventures is just unheard of today. (some might view it as stealing resources from the core company). Also, we've ommited the other family members from these summaries, but Perkins and Heath, had brothers who were also active in their business ventures. (Heath's brother invested in the new English venture). Why does history omit him? Didnt he do the meticulious accounting which is still around today? Why did the Heaths get such a sweet heart deal from the get-go (which eventually changed)? etc. Was infulence what Jacob Perkins was getting in exchange? And if so, is this ethical by todays norms? Why did Perkins have $ problems when he sold a thousand plates, and firesafety technology? Was the printing of sample money that expensive in England? Did he really gamble his entire net worth in an attempt to get the govnt printing of money? History is leaving more questions then answers. 74.46.14.142 (talk) 14:10, 1 February 2011 (UTC)

Bad References
Some of the references have incorrect statements. It's shocking to see this in an encypedia's, but this is the case. Jacob Perkins bought technology from the financially strapped Asa Spencer, and also employed him, took him to England, and even gave him credit, etc. This is the one clear case, that Jacob bought technology that people keep trying to credit him for inventing, when in reality, he didnt even operate the machines which did the work, Asa did. The only think Jacob really did with the spiralgraph technology, was buy the technology and patent it! (And now we can buy a toy to do it ourselves). It seems shocking that anyone would believe that a guy could be working on two business ventures concurrently, much less five, lol.. In Jacob's case, this is always evidennt. He had two business while in Phili. He made money in the USA on fire safety inventions while actually in England working on his new printing business, etc. I guess this is always the case, we want to believe that the guys running to the patent office, actually invented everything.

I'm also impressed with how professional his relationship was with Charles Heath. Two of the greatest business men of the day, were always hitting tough times, but never at the same time. They were both inept in handling money, perhaps this was the key to their success. lol. Perhaps if they were safe with money, we would not even know them. (Charles Heath also denied financial problems even after declaring bankrupcy...he just did it to enrich his brother, lol.).

You'll find real information from the Royal Society meetings about Jacob's technology, and financial records from Jacob Perkins.

You'll also find that the two had real help from their family, which is often "under-stated". Jacob's brother, ran the American ventures, and never appears to get any credit, because he's not involved in R&D but makes the "inventions" a success. Also, Jacob's nephews travel back and forth between England and America. Charles Heath's brother, was a financial backer in the new startup in England between Perkins and Heath. Both of these were real family ventures, with superstars shoved out front.

There is inter-marrying between engravers sons and daughters, artists, book publishers, etc. There clearly is more contact between artists and engravers then I would have ever suspected. — Preceding unsigned comment added by NormBograham (talk • contribs) 17:30, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

Muddle
This article seems to have become muddled. I will try to sort it out. Biscuittin 21:57, 22 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Done. I think it now makes a bit more sense. Biscuittin 22:18, 22 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I have done some more tidying up, to make the article more coherent, but more needs to be done. Biscuittin (talk) 00:23, 10 January 2013 (UTC)
 * I have removed some duplicate text and rationalized the sections. Biscuittin (talk) 12:23, 10 January 2013 (UTC)
 * I have made some changes to the text

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