About John Brislin
Lived 1838 – 1907 (aged 68). John Brislin was an inventor.
John Brislin (May 12, 1838 – March 27, 1907) was an American inventor who invented moveable rolling tables used for rolling large steel beams. These tables were a source of Andrew Carnegie's and U.S. Steel's fortunes. Brislin sued Carnegie on patent infringement, originally won and then the verdict was overturned on a technicality. Brislin went blind, lost his job as a janitor, and died in complete poverty.
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Important facts
People in John Brislin's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Brislin's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Brislin?
American inventor (1838-1907)
When was John Brislin born?
John Brislin was born on 12 May 1838.
When did John Brislin die?
John Brislin died on 27 March 1907.
What was John Brislin's occupation?
John Brislin was an inventor.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Brislin. https://biography.guide/john-brislin/
MLA: "John Brislin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-brislin/.
Chicago: "John Brislin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-brislin/.
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