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William Kelly - Inventor
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William Kelly

description William Kelly Overview

William Kelly (1811-1888) was an American inventor and ironmaster who independently developed a pneumatic process for steelmaking in the 1850s. His method involved blowing air through molten iron to remove carbon impurities, similar to what became known as the Bessemer process patented by Henry Bessemer in England. Kelly received a U.S. patent for his process in 1857, though financial difficulties limited his ability to commercialize it effectively.

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How good is William Kelly?
William Kelly scores 7.34/10 (Good) on Lunoo, making it a well-rated option in the Inventor category. Important independent pneumatic steelmaking work, but priority, technical maturity, and historical credit remain overshadowed by Bessemer.
What are the best alternatives to William Kelly?
See our alternatives page for William Kelly for a ranked list with scores. Top alternatives include: Isaac Merritt Singer, Elisha Otis, Joseph Glidden.
How does William Kelly compare to Isaac Merritt Singer?
See our detailed comparison of William Kelly vs Isaac Merritt Singer with scores, features, and an AI-powered verdict.
Is William Kelly worth it in 2026?
With a score of 7.34/10, William Kelly is a solid option in Inventor. See all Inventor ranked.

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