Obadiah Elliott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Obadiah Elliott
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| Born | 1763 Tonbridge, Kent |
| Died | 13 January 1838 Plaistow, Kent |
| Resting place | St Georges Church, Beckenham, Kent |
Obadiah Elliott (born 1763 – died 13 January 1838) was a clever inventor from Tonbridge, Kent, England. In 1804, he created a new way to build carriages. He used special elliptical springs to connect the carriage body directly to the wheels. This was a big change from the old, heavy designs.
Contents
A Big Idea for Carriages
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Obadiah Elliott's invention was a major step forward for carriage design. Before his idea, carriages were often very heavy. They used a long, strong beam called a "perch" to connect the front and back axles. This made them sturdy but also slow and bumpy.
How Elliptical Springs Worked
Elliott's solution was the elliptical spring. These springs were made from several curved steel plates. The plates were stacked on top of each other and held together. This design is still used today in some vehicle suspensions.
His new springs allowed the carriage body to be attached right to the axles. This removed the need for the heavy perch. It made carriages much lighter and more comfortable to ride in.
Travel Gets Smoother
Elliott's invention changed how people traveled by road. Before his springs, roads were often very rough. Most people walked or rode horses. Goods were carried by pack animals. Carriages had to go very slowly because of the bumpy surfaces.
The Impact on Roads
With Elliott's springs, carriages became much more stable. The ride was smoother, even on uneven roads. This made traveling by carriage safer and more enjoyable. His invention also encouraged more investment in roads. People started to build better roads, creating a national network. This made travel and trade much easier across the country.
Obadiah Elliott's Life
Obadiah Elliott passed away in 1838 at the age of 75. He was buried with his family at St Georges Church in Beckenham, Kent. He had been married twice and had 12 children. When he died, he owned several large houses and two carriage workshops. He also had a share in a successful carriage company called Elliott and Holbrook.
