Joshua Field (engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joshua Field
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Joshua Field
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| Born | 1786 Hackney, Middlesex
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| Died | 11 August 1863 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Civil engineer, mechanical engineer |
| Institutions | Institution of Civil Engineers (president) Fellow of the Royal Society Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts |
Joshua Field (1786 – 11 August 1863) was an important British engineer. He was skilled in both civil engineering (like building structures) and mechanical engineering (like designing machines).
Joshua was born in Hackney, England, in 1786. His father, John Field, was a merchant. From 1803 to 1805, Joshua learned from a dockyard engineer named Simon Goodrich.
Contents
Building Machines for Ships
Joshua Field worked with Samuel Goodrich on a big project. They were asked to create special tools. These tools would help make parts for ships much faster.
The Portsmouth Block Mills
They designed machines for the Portsmouth Block Mills. These machines helped to mass-produce ship's blocks. Blocks are parts used in a ship's rigging.
The new machines were amazing! They allowed just ten unskilled workers to do the job of 110 skilled workers. This was one of the first times machines were used to make many items quickly. This is called mass production.
Henry Maudslay built these machines between 1802 and 1806. The Portsmouth Block Mills were also the first steam-powered factory in any dockyard.
Working with Maudslay
After this project, Joshua Field joined Henry Maudslay. They formed a company called Messrs. Maudslay, Sons and Field. Their company built many important machines.
Engines for the SS Great Western
One of their famous projects was building engines for the SS Great Western. This ship made its first trip across the Atlantic Ocean in 1838. It was a huge achievement for steamships.
Other Important Projects
Joshua Field was a very busy engineer. He worked on many different projects.
He helped the Atlantic Telegraph Company with machinery. This machinery was used for laying the first Transatlantic telegraph cable across the ocean. This cable allowed messages to be sent between continents.
Field also worked with the Metropolitan Board of Works. He helped them design new sewage systems for cities. This was important for public health. He also worked with the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel on his steamships.
Leading Engineers
Joshua Field was one of eight young engineers. In 1817, they decided to start a new group. This group was called the Institution of Civil Engineers.
They wanted a group that was easier to join than older, more exclusive societies. Field became a vice-president of the Institution in 1837.
President of the Institution
On January 18, 1848, Joshua Field was elected president. He was the first mechanical engineer to hold this important position. He was also the only one of the original founders to become president.
In his first speech as president, he talked about new changes in steam navigation. These changes allowed ships to carry more and travel faster.
Field also became a member of the Royal Society in 1836. This is a very old and respected group for scientists. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Arts.
Later Life
Joshua Field passed away at his home in Surrey on August 11, 1863. He was 76 years old. He was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.
Family
Joshua Field's daughter, Matilda Field, married Dr. Thomas H. Gladstone. Their son was Reginald John Gladstone, who became an expert in embryology.
