When was the first wrench made?

Question

Did Jack Johnson invent the wrench?

Probuilt contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

-- Solomon Estes, Houston, Texas

Answer

Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight boxing champion, patented a wrench (U.S. patent #1,413,121) on April 18, . His patent was not the first for a wrench. Solymon Merrick of Springfield, Massachusetts, patented the first wrench in . Charles Moncky, a Baltimore mechanic, invented the monkey wrench around . Moncky's wrench was named using a purposeful misspelling of his name. On September 9, , Robert Owen Jr, of Shawnee, Ohio, received a patent for the "Double Acting Wrench" (ratchet wrench), arguably the most important advancement in wrench technology. Daniel C. Stillson, a steamboat firefighter, received a patented on September 13, for an invention later known as the Stillson pipe wrench.

Jack Johnson, the inventor, represents little more than an interesting historical footnote. He owes his fame and infamy to his boxing exploits and his violation of social norms. Born John Arthur Johnson () in Galveston, Texas, Johnson fought as a youth in battle royals (public fights between 4-12 Blacks for the amusement of White patrons). As a teenager he worked on boats and on Galveston's docks. Johnson began boxing in and quickly became a skilled fighter. On February 3, Johnson won the Colored Heavyweight Championship of the World title with a 20-round decision over Denver Ed Martin. This title did not satisfy Johnson; he wanted to become champion of the entire world.

Johnson was an imposing and frightening figure in the ring. His body was chiseled: 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. He was a skilled counter puncher with devastating punching power. Moreover, he rightly considered himself the world's best boxer and when he was able to fight White fighters he "punished" them. At the beginning of the 20th century most Americans believed that Whites were physically superior to Blacks and the heavyweight champion of the boxing world was considered the epitome of physical strength. Johnson defeated White fighters, taunting them in front of mostly-White audiences. On July 17, he knocked out former world champion Bob Fitzsimmons in the 2nd round. Tommy Burns, the White champion, tried to avoid fighting Johnson, but the American public demanded that Burns put Johnson "in his place." Burns' reluctance to fight Johnson was eased by a guarantee of a $30,000 paycheck. On December 26, , Johnson and Burns fought in Australia. Johnson severely beat Burns until a police inspector stopped the fight in the fourteenth round.

Johnson's victory was a major blow to Jim Crow. A White champion had been defeated by a so-called Negro. The Jim Crow system was, in effect, a racial hierarchy with Whites at the top and Blacks at the bottom; Whites were considered superior to Blacks in all important ways, including but not limited to intelligence, morality, courage, civilized behavior, and physical strength. Johnson's victory over Burns led many Whites to physically assault innocent Blacks on America's streets. Johnson lived as if the Jim Crow system did not exist. During the Jim Crow period Blacks were sometimes beaten for "talking back" to Whites; yet, Johnson spoke to Whites as if he were an equal -- or a superior. He reveled in his riches and fame. And, at a time when Blacks were imprisoned, even lynched, for flirting with White women, Johnson openly dated White women and married three White women. In and for at least another decade, Jack Johnson was one of the most hated men in America. He was White America's worse nightmare: a menacing black "brute," profligate, arrogant, immoral, a threat to everything white. Thus, began the search for a "Great White Hope," a White man to defeat the Black menace. James J. Jeffries, a former champion, came out of retirement to fight Johnson, but the fight was a mismatch. Johnson beat him easily on July 4, . Nineteen people were killed in race riots after the fight.

In Johnson was arrested for violation of the Mann Act, a law often used to prevent Black men from traveling with White women. During the Jim Crow period sexual relations between Black men and White women violated one of the nation's most important taboos. Johnson was charged with transporting Lucille Cameron, his White girlfriend, across state lines for "immoral purposes." Although the two married later that year, he was convicted of violating the Mann Act, a federal offense. The Judge was Kenesaw Mountain Landis who later became famous as a Commissioner of Major League Baseball. While his conviction was being appealed, Johnson fled to Europe to avoid incarceration. Lucille went with him. He remained a champion in exile until he lost on April 5, to Jess Willard in the 26th round in Havana, Cuba. Johnson claimed in his autobiography that he was promised a pardon if he "threw" the fight. There is a famous photograph of him laying on the mat having been "knocked out" by Willard. Johnson has one arm raised, apparently shielding his eyes from the sun's rays.

Johnson lived on the lam in Spain and Mexico until . Tiring of living abroad, often alone in shanties, he returned to the United States and was sent to Leavenworth Federal Prison in Kansas. While in prison, Johnson conceptualized and diagrammed a tool to help tighten loosening fastening devices. This is the wrench that he patented on April 18, .

Johnson boxed professionally from to , and boxed in exhibition matches until . During his boxing career, Jack Johnson fought 114 fights, winning 80 matches, 45 by knockouts. He was killed in a car crash while driving to see the Joe Louis-Billy Conn championship fight.

February response by

David Pilgrim
Curator
Jim Crow Museum

Asian Paints Royale Play Ragging Roller With Handle

On August 17, , Solymon Merrick of Springfield, Massachusetts patented the first wrench.

Featured content:
How do manufacturers strengthen abrasive wheels?

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit wrench manufacturer.

The wrench typology is inspired by typologies of prehistoric stone tools. Merrick&#;s patent was issued over two million years after the idea of wrench was first born.

The wrench basically includes notches at the mouth for gripping. The wrench is pulled at a right angle to the axes of the lever-action and the bolt or nut.

Charles Moncky invented the monkey wrench around . Moncky&#;s wrench was named using a purposeful misspelling of his name.

Then, Jack Johnson, world&#;s first African American heavyweight champion patented a wrench (U.S.patent#1,413,121) in .
In , there was a controversy when it was circulated on social media via viral picture-sharing that ack Johnson invented and patented the wrench and the term &#;monkey&#; was applied to it as a derogatory name for black people. As it turns out, it was a hoax.

Patent Information

Publication number: US X

Patent Title: Wrench

Publication date: 17 Aug

USX

The company is the world’s best sockets manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.