"The first introduction of the invention was considered by some
as a difficult and even hazardous step. The Proprietor of The
Times having made that his task, the public are aware that it is
in good hands."
One would think that Koenig would now feel himself in smooth
water, and receive a share of the good fortune which he had so
laboriously prepared for others. Nothing of the kind! His
merits were disputed; his rights were denied; his patents were
infringed; and he never received any solid advantages for his
invention, until be left the country and took refuge in Germany.
It is true, he remained for a few years longer, in charge of the
manufactory in Whitecross Street, but they were years to him of
trouble and sorrow.
In 1816, Koenig designed and superintended the construction of a
single cylinder registering machine for book-printing. This was
supplied to Bensley and Son, and turned out 1000 sheets, printed
on both sides, in the hour. Blumenbach's 'Physiology' was the
first entire book printed by steam, by this new machine. It was
afterwards employed, in l8l8, in working off the Literary
Gazette. A machine of the same kind was supplied to Mr. Richard
Taylor for the purpose of printing the 'Philosophical Magazine,'
and books generally. This was afterwards altered to a double
machine, and employed for printing the Weekly Dispatch.
But what about Koenig's patents? They proved of little use to
him.
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