The use of machinery to replace hand tools began earlier in carriage and wagon building than in other 19th century trades, and lasted longer. It was primarily concerned with wheelmaking, one of the most intricate and time-consuming tasks of the carriage builder.
Mr. Cope continues his series with an alphabetic listing of the inventors and builders of American carriage and wagon makers’ machinery and tools and, as before, accompanies his descriptions with many illustrations from old catalogs and trade journals.
There is, as well, a comprehensive Glossary of terms.
Anyone interested in wagons and carriages, particularly in wheelwrighting, and in the history of technology will enjoy and benefit from this book.