Laboratory Square at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, in around 1750. Henry Maudslay was born in Greenwich, where the arsenal was a major employer.
Image: Courtesy of RHAT
Master mechanic
Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) was a pioneer builder of all-metal machines.
Maudslay began work aged just 12 at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. He excelled as a blacksmith, and quickly became London's most sought-after mechanic . An early project involved building machines for Joseph Bramah to construct his patent unpickable lock. Later, Maudslay worked with Marc Brunel to construct the world's first production line, making pulley blocks for the Royal Navy at Portsmouth.
How did Maudslay help others learn about engineering?
