Henry F. Phillips
Henry Frank Phillips (June 4, 1889 – April 13, 1958) was an American businessman from Portland, Oregon. The Phillips-head ("crosshead") screw and screwdriver are named after him.[1]
The importance of the crosshead screw design lies in its self-centering property, useful on automated production lines that use powered screwdrivers.
Biography
After failing to interest manufacturers, Thompson sold his self-centering design to Phillips in 1935.[4] Phillips formed the Phillips Screw Company in 1934. After refining the design (U.S. Patent #2,046,343, U.S. Patents #2,046,837 to 2,046,840) for the American Screw Company of Providence, Rhode Island, Phillips succeeded in bringing the design to industrial manufacturing and promoting its rapid adoption as a machine screw standard.[5] American Screw then spent $500,000 originating a method of manufacture.[6] One of the first customers was General Motors who used the innovative design in 1936 for its Cadillac assembly-lines. By 1940, 85% of U.S. screw manufacturers had a license for the design.[7]
Due to failing health, Phillips retired in 1945. He lost his patent in 1949.[8] He died in 1958.
References
- ^ US2046837A, Phillips, Henry F., "Means for uniting a screw with a driver", issued 1936-07-07
- ^ Adams, Cecil (24 November 1989). "Why did this guy Phillips think we needed a new type of screw?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Patent Application". Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "Phillips Timeline - 1935". Phillips Screw Company. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
- ^ "Cross Shaped Slots Help Guide Screws" Popular Science, January 1936, page 38 middle of page
- ^ "July 7, 1936: Get a Grip Phillips Screws Up the Toolbox". Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ "About Phillips - A Historic View". Phillips Screw Company. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ Origin and meaning of Phillips by Etymonline https://www.etymonline.com/word/Phillips