Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

---

Bogardus, James, 1800-1874

Inventor; born in Catskill, N. V., March 14, 1800: was apprenticed to a watch-maker in 1814, and became skilled as a die-sinker and engraver. His genius as an inventor was first seen when he made an eight-day, three-wheeled chronometer clock, which was awarded the highest premium at the first fair of the American Institute. In 1828 he produced the “ring flier” for cotton spinning; in 1831 devised an engraving machine. He also made the transfer machine for the production of banknote plates from separate dies. In 1832 he devised the first dry gas-meter, and in [375] 1836 made it applicable to all current fluids by giving a rotary motion to the machinery. In 1839 the British government offered a prize to any one who should submit the best plan of manufacturing postage-stamps, and from 2,600 designs that of Mr. Bogardus was selected. In 1847 he built a five-story factory in New York City entirely of east-iron, which was the first of its kind in the United States, and probably in the world. This undertaking was so successful that it led him to engage in the business of building iron warehouses throughout the United States. He died in New York City, April 13, 1874.