Inventors

Richard Bowie Spikes

Richard Bowie Spikes, a renowned inventor with over a dozen patents to his name, made significant contributions to the field of automotive technology and beyond. Born on October 2, 1878, to Monroe and Medora Spikes, he came from a large family and grew up alongside at least six siblings. His early years were marked by a diverse range of occupations, including mechanic, saloon keeper, and barber, all of which likely influenced his later inventive endeavors. Spikes’ interest in improving the operation of various items led to a prolific career as an inventor. While primarily focused on automobile mechanics, his inventions also extended to barber chairs, trolley cars, billiard cues, and even beer-tapping technology. His innovative spirit and dedication to enhancing everyday devices left a lasting impact on numerous industries.

In 1900, Spikes married Lula B. Charlton, with whom he had a son in 1902. The family’s early years were characterized by frequent relocations, spanning Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, before eventually settling in California. Despite the challenges of moving, Spikes remained dedicated to his inventive pursuits, securing patents that would shape the future of various technologies. One of Spikes’s notable inventions was the beer-tapper, patented on April 9, 1907, while he was living in Bisbee, Arizona. This groundbreaking device, connected to a keg, revolutionized the dispensing of beer by utilizing tubing to facilitate the release of the beverage while preserving its freshness over time. Remarkably, the technology he pioneered continues to be utilized in the industry to this day, a testament to the enduring relevance of his innovations.

The Beer Tapper
The Beer Tapper

Continuing his inventive streak, Spikes patented a self-locking rack for billiard cues on October 11, 1910, while residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This invention showcased his versatility as an inventor, demonstrating his ability to improve diverse items beyond the realm of automotive mechanics. A decade later, in 1920, while living in Fort Bragg, California, he successfully patented a “trolley pole arrester,” designed to automatically retract the pole when the circuit is broken to prevent damage to the trolley wire and potential injury—a crucial advancement in trolley car safety. Over the subsequent four decades, Spikes obtained patents for numerous other innovations that further solidified his reputation as a pioneering inventor. These included a brake testing machine, a pantograph for conveying electrical current to trolley wires, a combination milk bottle opener and cover, a device for obtaining average samples and temperatures of tank liquids, an improved gear shift transmission system, a horizontally swinging barber’s chair, and an automatic brake safety system. Each of these inventions reflected Spikes’ unwavering commitment to enhancing the functionality and safety of everyday objects.

Notably, Spikes’ contributions to automotive technology were particularly significant. His gear-shifting device aimed to maintain constant meshing of gears for various speeds, building upon the early concept of automatic transmission and laying the groundwork for future advancements in this critical aspect of automotive engineering. Furthermore, his automatic brake safety system provided a fail-safe means of stopping vehicles in the event of damage to the normal braking mechanism—a testament to his dedication to improving road safety. While Spikes’ impact on automotive technology is widely recognized, he is also credited with patenting an automobile signaling system (turn signal) in the early 1910s. Although a patent record for this specific invention has yet to be located, historical accounts attribute the installation of this signaling system to a Pierce-Arrow motorcar—a testament to Spikes’ influence on automotive safety features.

Richard B. Spikes’ legacy as an inventor continued until the twilight of his life. His final patent, an automatic brake safety system obtained in 1962 at the age of 84, exemplified his enduring dedication to innovation and safety. His remarkable career as an inventor spanned decades and left an indelible mark on diverse industries, shaping the technological landscape in ways that continue to resonate today.

Tragically, Richard B. Spikes passed away on January 22, 1965, in Los Angeles at the age of eighty-six. Despite his departure, his legacy endures through his numerous patents and the lasting impact of his inventive spirit. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of innovation and continue to inspire future generations of inventors and engineers. Richard B. Spikes’ pioneering work stands as a testament to the power of ingenuity and serves as a reminder of the profound impact that one individual can have on the advancement of technology and society as a whole.

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