This is a factual series that reflects great Australian history. It is about a man and his company whose innovations and patents changed the efficiencies and effectiveness of mining and agriculture, through the machinery that he designed, which was adopted globally. This man also happens to be the Great Great Grandfather of the Author, Andrew May.

 

John Frederick May was no doubt one of Australia’s greatest engineers. From his first patent the “Warren and May Concentrator” in 1874, it has been stated by many that Frederick contributed the most to solve the problems associated with ore separation. This was a problem that many engineers and chemists could not solve. In doing so, Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP) became one of their largest and most respected clients, along with countless mining companies across the colonies. Another of Frederick’s patents was the “Adjustable Comb” which was adopted and used on harvester machinery worldwide.

 

Frederick was the founder and senior member of May Brothers & Co., foundry and engineering work at Gawler and Port Pirie; along with his partner Alfred and his two eldest sons Frederick and William.

 

Frederick May has been recognized as one of the 100 pioneering individuals of South Australia and is acknowledged as such with a plaque on North Terrace, Adelaide.

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To see the Trove listing of The Mechanical Genius; John Frederick May, please click here.

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Andrew has also written his third book, The Poseidon Boom, a book looking at the rise and fall of Poseidon NL. The People. The Shares. The Company. The Story.

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For more information, click here.