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Drive Chains
James Slater
1864
Submitted by: Geoff Howard
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The earliest known sketches of chains are by Leonardo da Vinci although link chains were used in Byzantium as early as 230 BC. In 1864 James Slater patented the first precision chain strong enough to drive bicycles and other machines. His Salford factory for making textile machine chains was acquired by a Swiss named Hans Renold who patented the modern bush roller chain in 1880. In 1885, Englishman, John Kemp Starley made his 'Rover Safety' bicycle with chain drive to the rear wheel and established Coventry as the centre of manufacturing.