Chapter 18

RICHARD M. HOE.

Growth of the art of printing--Birth of Richard M. Hoe--Sketch of the career of Robert Hoe--He comes to America--His marriage--Founds the house of "Robert Hoe & Co."--The first steam printing presses--He retires from business--Richard M. Hoe is brought up in the business--The mechanical genius of the house--The new firm--Richard Hoe's first invention--Obtains a patent for it--Visits England--Invents the double-cylinder press--Demand for increased facilities for printing--Mr. Hoe's experiments with his press--His failures--How the "Lightning Press" was invented--A good night's work--Patents his invention--The first "Lightning Press"--Demand for it--Rapid growth of the business of the firm--Statement of the operations of the house--Personal characteristics of Richard M. Hoe--The "Lightning Press" at work.