Benjamin Bradley (inventor) facts for kids

Benjamin Bradley (born March 1830 – died 1904) was a clever American engineer and inventor. His real last name was Boardley, but many people know him as Bradley because of a mistake in a magazine article from 1859.

Benjamin was born into slavery in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in March 1830. It's thought that he learned to read and write from the children of his owner, John T. Hammond.

Early Life and First Inventions

When Benjamin was a teenager, he worked at a printing office. He showed amazing talent for building things at just 16 years old! He even built a working steam engine using simple items like a gun barrel, pewter, and steel.

His owner was very impressed by Benjamin's skills. This led to Benjamin getting a job as a helper at the Department of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Benjamin Bradley's Amazing Inventions

At the U.S. Naval Academy, Benjamin helped set up science experiments, especially those involving chemical gases. Even though he was paid for his work, most of his earnings went to his owner. Benjamin was allowed to keep five dollars a month for himself.

His professors at the Naval Academy were very impressed with how quickly he learned. Professor Hopkins wrote that Benjamin was great at setting up experiments and always tried to understand "the law by which things act." Professor Hopkins's children also taught Benjamin how to read, write, and do math like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.

During his time at the Naval Academy, Benjamin built a small steam engine and sold it to a student. He used the money he earned and saved to build an even bigger steam engine. This engine was powerful enough to run a small boat called a "cutter" at speeds up to 16 knots an hour! He sold this model engine too. With the money, he then developed and built what was called the "first steam-powered warship."

Because Benjamin was enslaved, he was not allowed to get a patent for his inventions. A patent is a special legal right that protects an inventor's ideas. However, he could still sell his engines. He used the money from his sales, along with some help from his professors, to buy his freedom for $1,000. On September 30, 1859, Benjamin officially became a free man.

During the American Civil War, the U.S. Naval Academy moved to Newport, Rhode Island. Benjamin continued to work there as a free man. He kept building small steam engines and showing off his incredible mechanical skills. In 1864, he even worked as an instructor in the Philosophical Department. He was praised for designing and building a "miniature steam-engine and boiler" that was quite powerful for its size.

Later Years and Legacy

According to records from 1900, Benjamin Bradley was living in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and was 64 years old. He worked as a "philosophical lecturer," which likely meant he gave talks about science and engineering. He was married to Gertrude Boardley for 19 years, and they had three children.

Benjamin Bradley passed away in 1904 and is buried in the Mashpee Town Cemetery in Massachusetts. His story shows how talent and determination can overcome huge challenges.