Henry Hindley
Encyclopedia
Henry Hindley was an 18th century clockmaker
and maker of scientific instruments. He was the inventor of a screw-cutting lathe
. He built a clock for York Minster
, England
, where he apparently lived for much of his life, in 1752.
Hindley was known to have made one of the first dividing engine
s. These devices are essential for the construction of accurate graduated arcs on scientific instruments.
Solid information about the man, outside of his relationship with John Smeaton
, appears to be difficult to come by.
He is thought to have made the world's first equatorially-mounted telescope
, which can now be seen in Burton Constable Hall
.
Clockmaker
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches...
and maker of scientific instruments. He was the inventor of a screw-cutting lathe
Screw-cutting lathe
A screw-cutting lathe is a machine capable of cutting very accurate screw threads via single-point screw-cutting, which is the process of guiding the linear motion of the tool bit in a precisely known ratio to the rotating motion of the workpiece...
. He built a clock for York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where he apparently lived for much of his life, in 1752.
Hindley was known to have made one of the first dividing engine
Dividing engine
A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments.-History:There has always been a need for accurate measuring instruments...
s. These devices are essential for the construction of accurate graduated arcs on scientific instruments.
Solid information about the man, outside of his relationship with John Smeaton
John Smeaton
John Smeaton, FRS, was an English civil engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbours and lighthouses. He was also a capable mechanical engineer and an eminent physicist...
, appears to be difficult to come by.
He is thought to have made the world's first equatorially-mounted telescope
Telescope
A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses...
, which can now be seen in Burton Constable Hall
Burton Constable Hall
Burton Constable Hall is a large Elizabethan country house with 18th and 19th century interiors, and a fine 18th century cabinet of curiosities. The hall, a Grade I listed building, is set in a park designed by Capability Brown with an area of...
.