Thomas Humpage
Thomas Humpage (c1857-1938)
Born the son of Joseph Humpage, a Merchant.
1882 Married Ada J. Williams
1939 Obituary [1]
"THOMAS HUMPAGE, who died in his eighty-first year on 25th November 1938, was the inventor of the well-known epicyclic gear which bears his name. He was originally concerned with nail making from 1870 to 1877, but in the latter year he began his engineering career at Southwoods Engine Works, Birmingham. He became a fitter and turner with Messrs. Charles Bell and Company, Birmingham, in 1879.
In 1880 he went to Bristol as assistant works manager of the Midland Machine Works, and subsequently held posts with Messrs. Llewellins and James, Ltd., Bristol, the Broad Weir Engine Works, Bristol, and Messrs. John Watts and Company, Bristol. At this time, between 1883 and 1884, he attended the Trade and Mining Schools to improve his technical knowledge, and in 1885 he joined Messrs. Shaw and Bullock, Bristol, in which firm he became works manager in 1889. In 1893 he founded the firm of Messrs. Humpage and Jacques, Bristol, which finally became Messrs. Humpage, Jacques and Pedersen, Ltd.
He was managing director of the Belmont Engineering Company, Ltd., Bristol, in 1905, and became a partner in the firm of Messrs. Humpage, Thompson and Hardy, Bristol, in 1906. He contributed a paper to the PROCEEDINGS in 1908, entitled " Evolution and Methods of Manufacture of Spur-Gearing". Mr. Humpage was elected a Member of the Institution in 1903."