Hunt, Walter (1795-1859), an American inventor , created modern safety pins and an early sewing machine , among many other devices. Hunt earned 28 patents in his life. They included an alarm to warn pedestrians of oncoming vehicles, an improved knife-sharpener, a ropemaking machine, and a coal stove. To support his family, Hunt auctioned his patents for immediate cash. Each time, he continued on to the next idea. Hunt devised new types of inkwells, fountain pens , and bottle stoppers. He developed new saws , nailmaking machines, lamps , ice-breaking boats , and street sweepers. Hunt invented shoe attachments that enabled acrobats to walk across ceilings.
Hunt was born July 29, 1795, in Martinsburg, New York. In 1826, he invented a more efficient flax- spinning machine. Hunt failed to raise capital to start manufacturing his device. Instead, he sold his patent rights, giving up all future profits. Hunt invented modern safety pins in 1849, allegedly while fidgeting with twisted wire. In the same year, Hunt created a repeating rifle , which could fire multiple shots without reloading. Hunt’s design evolved into the famous Winchester rifle.
In the early 1830’s, Hunt devised America’s first workable sewing machine. But the investor who bought his idea never pursued patent protection. In 1846, Elias Howe , another American inventor, patented a similar sewing machine. Hunt applied to the United States Patent Office for a retroactive patent, a patent going back to Hunt’s original invention. The office rejected this application, enabling Howe to collect royalties from sewing machine manufacturers. Hunt died in New York City on June 8, 1859.
