Mónico Sánchez Moreno facts for kids
Mónico Sánchez Moreno was a brilliant Spanish engineer and inventor. He was born on May 4, 1880, and passed away on November 6, 1961. He created many important things, like early wireless phones and special medical equipment. One of his most famous inventions was the first portable x-ray machine in 1909.
Early Life and Learning
Mónico Sánchez was born in a small town called Piedrabuena in Spain. His family wasn't rich; his parents owned a small factory that made tiles and bricks. His mother also washed clothes to earn money, and Mónico, being the youngest of four children, often helped her.
Even though many people in his town couldn't read or write, Mónico's teacher saw how smart he was. The teacher encouraged him to keep studying. So, Mónico left home for Madrid to become an electrical engineer.
When he arrived in Madrid in 1901, the city was just starting to use electricity for streetlights and trams. However, the engineering school was closed because of student protests. Mónico didn't give up! He found a special course from London that he could do by mail. Even though he didn't know English, he worked hard for three years. When he finished, his teacher helped him get a job in New York.
Inventing in the United States
In 1904, when Mónico was 23, he sailed to New York City. He started working as an assistant to a draughtsman. But he kept learning and studying at the Institute of Electrical Engineers and later at Columbia University.
He then got a job at a company called van Houten and ten Broek. This company helped bring electricity to hospitals. It was there that Mónico had a great idea and invented something amazing: a portable x-ray machine.
Most x-ray machines at that time were huge, weighing about 400 kilograms (almost 900 pounds!). Mónico's invention was much smaller, weighing only about 10 kilograms (around 22 pounds). This made it easy to move around. France even bought 60 of these machines for their ambulances to use in the field.
Later, a company called Collins Wireless Telephone Company hired Mónico as their main engineer. They wanted to sell his portable x-ray machine, calling it "The Collins Sánchez Portable Device." They even offered him a lot of money for his invention.
Returning Home
After some disagreements with Frederick Collins about his wireless telephone, Mónico Sánchez Moreno decided to go back to his hometown of Piedrabuena. In 1912, he successfully opened his own factory there. He designed and built his inventions right in his hometown. Sadly, his factory eventually closed because of the Spanish Civil War.
Mónico Sánchez passed away in Piedrabuena on November 6, 1961.
See also
In Spanish: Mónico Sánchez para niños
