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David Unaipon
David Unaipon was born at Raukkan (Point McLeay) Mission in 1872. Educated at the mission school and in Adelaide, Unaipon was particularly interested in scientific studies and began to study mechanics and conduct experiments in perpetual motion and polarised light. Many of Unaipon’s ideas were ahead of his time and he was referred to as ‘Australia’s Leonardo’. In 1909, he developed and patented a modified handpiece for shearing and in following decades submitted patent applications for nine other inventions, including a centrifugal motor. He predicted the invention of the helicopter. Unaipon was also known as a writer, musician, preacher and a spokesman for his people. He retired to Raukkan Mission, where he worked on his inventions, particularly investigating perpetual motion. The Australian $50 note features Unaipon’s shearing handpiece and the church at Raukkan Mission.
Further reading
State Library of South Australia. David Unaipon, Adelaide: State Library of South Australia, 1999.
Links
South Australian prominent people: David Unaipon
Forging the nation – David Unaipon
Reserve Bank of Australia See: Currency notes: Notes in circulation
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| TITLE | Patent specification. Mechanical motion. Sheep shears. No. 15,624, 1909. D. Unaipon, SA |
| DATE | 1910 |
| PLACE OF CREATION; PUBLISHER |
Melbourne; Govt. Printer |
| FORMAT | Magazine |
| LOCATION | State Library of South Australia |
| DESCRIPTION | David Unaipon was born at Raukkan (Point McLeay) Mission in 1872. Educated at the mission school and in Adelaide, Unaipon was particularly interested in scientific studies and began to study mechanics and conduct experiments in perpetual motion and polarised light. In 1909, he developed and patented a modified handpiece for shearing. The patent for this invention is presented here. |
| RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTION | Reproduction rights are owned by State Library of South Australia. This image may be printed or saved for personal research or study. Use for any other purpose requires permission from the State Library of South Australia. To request approval, complete the Permission to publish form. |
| FURTHER READING | State Library of South Australia. David Unaipon, Adelaide: State Library of South Australia, 1999. |
| LINKS | South Australian prominent people Forging the nation – David Unaipon Reserve Bank of Australia: notes in circulation |
