While the full extent of his scientific studies has only become recognized in the last 150 years, he was, during his lifetime, employed for his engineering and skill of invention.
Medan den fulla omfattningen av hans vetenskapliga studier bara har blivit erkända under de senaste 150 åren, var han, under sin livstid, anställd för sin ingenjörskunnighet och skicklighet inom uppfinnande.