description William Bullock Overview
William Bullock was an American inventor associated with the development of the rotary web printing press. His 1863 design fed a continuous roll of paper through a press rather than requiring individual sheets, and rotary printing could combine high-speed impression with mechanical paper handling, cutting, and folding. Bullock's work helped support the industrial expansion of newspaper and book production, although he died in 1867 after an accident while installing one of his presses.
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What did William Bullock invent?
William Bullock developed an improved rotary web printing press that fed a continuous roll of paper through the machine. His 1863 U.S. Patent 38,200 described a press designed for continuous web printing and curved stereotype plates.
How was Bullock's press different from earlier printing presses?
Earlier presses commonly required individual sheets to be fed manually, while Bullock's design drew paper from a continuous roll. The mechanism could print both sides, cut the paper, and automate more of the newspaper-production process.
Did William Bullock invent the rotary press from scratch?
Richard March Hoe had already developed an important rotary press, and Bullock improved the concept with continuous web feeding and additional automation. Bullock's contribution was therefore a major web-press advance rather than the entire origin of rotary printing.
How did William Bullock die?
In 1867, Bullock injured his leg while adjusting a press being installed for a newspaper. The injury became infected, and he died after an amputation operation.
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