Born in Johnstown, New York, April 26, 1800; died in Paterson,
New Jersey, May 27, 1875. Wells invented the means for mass
producing letters in 1827. His lateral router allowed for greater
control when cutting type and decreased the time it took to cut
each letter. Published the first known wood type catalog in 1828.
In 1839, Wells entered into a partnership with Ebenezer Webb, who
had purchased Leavenworth’s operation earlier that year and became
successor to Wells’ operation in 1854. After Webb died in 1864,
Wells &
Webb and their entire inventory of wood type was bought by
Heber Wells, youngest son of Darius. This
company was eventually sold to Hamilton
Manufacturing More…
Born in Johnstown, New York, April 26, 1800; died in Paterson, New Jersey, May 27, 1875. Wells invented the means for mass producing letters in 1827. His lateral router allowed for greater control when cutting type and decreased the time it took to cut each letter. Published the first known wood type catalog in 1828. In 1839, Wells entered into a partnership with Ebenezer Webb, who had purchased Leavenworth’s operation earlier that year and became successor to Wells’ operation in 1854. After Webb died in 1864, Wells & Webb and their entire inventory of wood type was bought by Heber Wells, youngest son of Darius. This company was eventually sold to Hamilton Manufacturing Co. in late 1899. [Shields].
