Biography:Herbert Merrick

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Short description: American inventor
Herbert Merrick
Herbert Merrick.jpg
Portrait of Herbert Merrick
Born
Herbert Lansing Merrick

April 16, 1873
Brooklyn, New York, US
DiedMay 2, 1938 (aged 65)
Passaic, New Jersey, US
Occupation
  • Engineer
  • inventor
  • entrepreneur

Herbert Lansing Merrick (April 16, 1873 – May 2, 1938) was an American engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur. He invented the first[1][2][3][4][5] beltweighers, which automatically weigh bulk materials as they are passed along a conveyor belt without stoppage.[6]

Early life and education

Merrick was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 16, 1873, to Charles Merrick and Anna Merrick.[7] One of three brothers, Merrick attended Bergen County public schools before graduating from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1892 with a Mechanical Engineering degree.[6] After graduation he would work as an engineer and draftsman at various companies before starting his own manufacturing company.[2]

Career

In 1908, Merrick established the Merrick Scale Manufacturing Company [1] following the invention of his weighing systems.[3][4][5] Over the coming years, he would find success as one of the first manufacturers of conveyor scales, and become a key figure in growing the conveyor weighing industry.[1]

Personal life

Merrick was married to Katherine Selleck, they had one daughter together. Merrick was a member of the First Reformed Church of Passaic and director of the People's Bank and Trust Company. He also was an avid sailor and owned a boat named after his wife and daughter.[2] On May 2, 1938, Herbert Merrick passed away after a long illness. He was 65 years old.[8]

References