J. George Leyner

J. George Leyner (1860–1920) was a machinist who invented mining equipment that enhanced safe mining operations while also improving efficiency. He held a significant number of United States patents and established his own equipment manufacturing companies. In particular, he invented a drill that used water to suppress generation of airborne particles during mining, thereby reducing the risk of miners' developing silicosis. The device later became known as the Leyner drill.

Biography Leyner was born in Left Hand Canyon, Colorado. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Leyner. His father was a German immigrant, while his mother is believed to have been Pennsylvania Dutch. His parents' ranch is located in Boulder County, Colorado, and remains in the Leyner family. Leyner reportedly attended school only through eighth grade. As a youth, he lost his vision in one eye due to an explosion.

Leyner's company benefited from financing from local businesspeople. As the company expanded, it moved its headquarters to Denver. At the same time, Leyner moved his residence to Denver. Beginning in 1912, the company used the Ingersol-Rand Company as the distributor of its products. The business relationship between the two companies became stronger over time, with engineers from Ingersol-Rand becoming involved in design of the Leyner Company's products. Finally, in 1932, the Leyner Company was acquired by Ingersol-Rand.

Recognizing the difficulty resulting from his hammer type drill, Leyner recalled these drills so that they could be retrofitted with the devices that used water to suppress generation of mining dust.

Many states in the United States ultimately required use of mining drills of the Leyner design so as to provide suitable miner safety.

Among his other patented inventions related to mining, Leyner invented improvements to mining air compressors for powering drills, drill bit sharpening, and hoists used in mining operations. Besides safety improvements, his various inventions related to drills were also based on improved efficiency by using hammer drill designs. Leyner was the inventor on approximately 30 United States patents.

Honors and legacy Leyner's mining inventions were awarded the grand prize at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904.

A 1947 article in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine referred to Leyner as the "outstanding mechanical genius of the Rock Drill Industry".