Nope.
The Phillips screwdriver (and screw head) was developed in 1867 by Hezekiah
Phillips. He was a gunsmith in Shelton Connecticut. The cross pattern screw
head
and driver was created in an effort to preserve the job of his drunken
brother-in-law, Jedediah Mayfair.
Mr. Mayfair worked in Mr. Phillips shop. It seems that Mr. Mayfair was prone to
drink whiskey to excess during his lunch (and most all the time). His shaking
hands scratched many a fine firearm when attempting to install standard flat
drive screws.
Mr. Phillips, knowing that his wayward in-law was unemployable elsewhere in the
area due to his reputation, devised the cross drive screw in an attempt to
reduce damage to his goods while still retaining Mr. Mayfair. This would
prevent
the disgrace of having to support his sister and her family directly.
As it turned out, Mr. Phillips attempts were not to be successful. Regardless
of
design, Mr. Mayfair continued to damage high quality rifles at an alarming
rate.
Mr. Phillips was forced to fire him.
In the end, the Phillips head as we know it today was developed. Mr. Phillips
took out a patent and made a substantial amount of money in the late 1800's. He
supported his sister and her drunken husband until Mr. Mayfair's unfortunate
accident with the milk wagon in 1896. Mrs. Mayfair re-married in 1897.
Or not :-)
greenman62@hotmail.com wrote:
> Another asside re: Mr. Phillips...
>
> As I rememeber the spot on my local Public Radio station Phillips
> developed the Phillips screw to help in mass production situations. It
> didn't catch on until Ford, (I think) employed it to speed the assembly
> of automobiles early in the last century.
>
> Greg Petrolati
>
>
>> 1. Because Mr. Phillips invented the Phillips screw and driver.
>>
>> 2. The other is either a "straight slot" or "regular" screw driver
>>
>> 3. Don't forget there is also the "PosiDrive" screw and driver,
>> similar but
>> not the same as the Phillips and definitely not interchangeable!
>>
>> To say nothing of Torx, Allen, etc. etc.
>>
>> Jim Bauder
>> '58 TR3
>> Scottsdale, AZ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Does anyone know where Phillips screwdrivers got their name? Why not
>> "X cross" or "double grip" or something more descriptive of their
>> design and function. And what do you call the other ones--straight,
>> normal, standard?
>>
>> Inquiring minds want to know.
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