18 Facts About Nathan Read

Nathan Read was an American engineer and steam pioneer.

Nathan Read was the true inventor of the high-pressure steam engine in 1789, this was twelve years before the steam-engine was known to be used in the form of a high-pressure engine, and led a great revolution in steam power to navigation and land-transport.

Nathan Read's father, Reuben Read, was an officer in the Revolutionary service and his mother's maiden name was Tamsin Meacham.

In 1774, Nathan Read commenced his preparatory studies for college.

Nathan Read taught school in Beverly and Salem and was elected a tutor in Harvard University.

Nathan Read was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1791.

Nathan Read then made efforts to improve the function of the steam cylinder, and placed it in a horizontal position so the engine could sustain much higher pressure, that is to say, Read invented the high-pressure steam engine, a new kind of steam engine, different from James Watt's old engine.

Nathan Read successfully reconstructed the steam engine; he modified the Watt engine to a high-pressure engine that could be widely used in new fields, such as steamboat and locomotive.

Nathan Read's experiment was very successful; it proved that the engine he built functioned well.

Nathan Read invented the chain-wheel for paddle wheels to propel the steamboat, and set up a shipbuilding factory with his friends in 1796.

Nathan Read developed a new machine, which could be used for cutting and heading nails at one operation.

Nathan Read developed a style of rotary steam engine in 1817.

Nathan Read developed a plan for using the expansion and contraction of metals, multiplied by levers, widely used in winding up clocks and other purposes.

Nathan Read patented some of them, but others were mainly used in agricultural fields and never patented.

Nathan Read was selected as a Federalist to the Sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel Sewall; and was popularly elected to the Seventh Congress and served from November 25,1800, to March 3,1803.

Nathan Read was not a candidate for renomination in 1802.

Nathan Read was instrumental in establishing Belfast Academy and served as trustee for forty years.

Nathan Read died near Belfast; interment was in Grove Cemetery, Belfast.