George W. Snyder facts for kids
George W. Snyder (born around 1780, died February 10, 1841) was a clever American inventor. He lived in Paris, Kentucky. He was also a skilled watchmaker and silversmith. Snyder is famous for inventing the very first fishing reel made in America, back in 1820.
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The Famous Kentucky Reel
Where George Snyder Grew Up
George Snyder was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This is the same county where the famous explorer Daniel Boone was born! Around 1803, George moved to Paris, Kentucky. It was called Hopewell back then. He lived there until he passed away in 1841, at about 60 years old.
How the Reel Was Invented
George was very good at making watches and working with silver. He also loved fishing! He noticed that anglers needed a faster way to reel in fish. Especially when fishing for black bass with live minnows. So, he decided to invent something new. Snyder made his first fishing reel for himself around 1810. Later, he made more reels for his friends and other people who loved to fish.
The Reel's Big Impact
Snyder's reel was a special type of trolling reel. It was designed for fly fishing and became known as the Kentucky Reel. George did not get a patent or trademark for his invention. Because of this, many other skilled makers quickly copied his design. These included famous names like Meek, Milam, Sage, Hardman, and Gayle. These people were experts at making jewelry. They knew how to cut tiny gears and build small, precise parts.
Over time, factories in the Northeast started making the Kentucky Reel. They could produce them much faster and cheaper than handmade ones. Having more affordable fishing reels made fly fishing much more popular. This new technology was also used for bait casting reels. Soon, fishing became a super popular hobby for people from all walks of life across America.
Another Cool Reel: The New York Reel
In the middle of the 1800s, another type of fly reel was invented. This one came from New York City. The "New York Reel" was usually made from brass or nickel silver. It was much heavier than the Kentucky Reel. This reel often had a curvy handle or a special "ball-handle."
See also
