James Sadler
of Oxford
James Sadler (1753-1828), balloonist and chemist
1753 born in Oxford and baptized there on 27 February 1753, elder son of James Sadler (1718–1791), cook and confectioner and his wife, Elizabeth (1718–1802).
He and his brother Thomas (1756–1829) worked in their father's business.
Married Mary. Four children born before 1785, including John who was their eldest son.
1784 Sadler first released a 36 foot hydrogen balloon, probably from the St Clement's residence of John Sibthorp, on 9 February. On 4 October he made the first ascent by any English aeronaut in a 170 foot hot-air balloon he had constructed himself, rising to a height of 3600 feet and landing 6 miles away after a half-hour flight.
1785 Further balloon ascents but then seems to have stopped but continued with other experiments
c.1785 was one of the first to use coal gas as an illuminant.
By 1786 he was experimenting with driving wheeled carriages by steam engine. This brought early hostility from Boulton and Watt in Birmingham, who claimed a monopoly of such use.
From about 1788 to 1790 Sadler was technical operator in the chemical laboratory at Oxford University.
1789-90 Gave public performances "of philosophical fire-works" in Oxford town hall.
Sadler was closely involved with Thomas Beddoes, reader at Oxford University, who with his friend William Reynolds encouraged Sadler to experiment further with his steam engine. This engine did not condense steam in the cylinder, which laid it open to claims of infringement by Boulton and Watt. It worked at a pressure of 19 pounds per square inch and was self-contained and direct acting. Several Sadler engines were built and erected at Coalbrookdale, and in London from 1792 to 1799, despite threats from Boulton and Watt from 1791. Because of these threats, Sadler's only patent (no. 1812 of June 1791) was for another, quite different, steam turbine.
Invented a rotary engine and later a double-cylinder engine
1786 Experiments in using a steam engine to drive carriage wheels
See Also
Sources of Information
- Steam Locomotion on Common Roads by William Fletcher. Published 1891.
- Stuart's History of the Steam Engine. 1824