Nathan Ames

Who was Nathan Ames?

Nathan Ames was a patent solicitor who held the first patent in the United States for an escalator-like machine. The patent was granted on August 9, 1859 for an invention he called "Revolving Stairs". The escalator had steps mounted on a continuous belt or chain. He also patented machines for improvement in polishing leather during the time when Lynn's shoemaking industry was one of the largest in the world. Another one of his patents was for a polygraph, an early copying machine that operated by using pens connected by wires. Another patent he held was for an improved grater.

A writer and a poet, Ames has a disquisition and a Class Ode published during his time at Harvard. His book of poetry Pirate’s Glen and Dungeon Rock was published in 1853. These poems were based the local pirate legend of Dungeon Rock.

His brother Joseph was an American portrait artist.

Ames was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, and Harvard.