# Edward Bull

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**Edward Bull** (c.1759–1798) was an English engineer, noted for a modified type of steam engine known as the Bull engine. Working with [Richard Trevithick](/source/Richard_Trevithick), many of these were installed in mines in Cornwall.

## Life

Bull was born about 1759. From 1779 he worked for [Boulton and Watt](/source/Boulton_and_Watt) at Bedworth Colliery in [Warwickshire](/source/Warwickshire); [Watt steam engines](/source/Watt_steam_engine) were used to pump water from mines. In 1781 he moved to [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall) to install steam engines for the company.[1][2]

From 1791 he worked independently. He designed an engine in which the steam cylinder was inverted over the pump, so that there was no need for a main beam, or rocking beam, and the engine took up less space. Working with [Richard Trevithick](/source/Richard_Trevithick), ten such engines were installed in mines, the first at [Dolcoath mine](/source/Dolcoath_mine).[3][1][2]

Boulton and Watt claimed that the engine infringed the company's patents, and the case came to court in 1793; the verdict was in Boulton and Watt's favour. Nevertheless, Bull and Trevithick installed an engine at Wheal Treasury near [Leedstown](/source/Leedstown), and another was installed at [Ding Dong mines](/source/Ding_Dong_mines). Trevithick worked on improvements to Bull's engine, while litigation continued; a further verdict in favour of Boulton and Watt came in 1799.[2][4]

Bull died in 1798, and was buried at [Kenwyn](/source/Kenwyn) Church in Cornwall.[1]

## Surviving example of Bull engine

A working engine, built by [Harvey & Co](/source/Harvey_%26_Co) in 1856, is at the [London Museum of Water & Steam](/source/London_Museum_of_Water_%26_Steam).[3]

## References

1. ["Edward Bull"](https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Edward_Bull) Grace's Guide. Retrieved 11 January 2020.

1. ["Richard Trevithick: Pumping the mines"](http://www.engineering-timelines.com/who/Trevithick_R/trevithickRichard3.asp) Engineering Timelines. Retrieved 11 January 2020.

1. ["Bull engine"](https://waterandsteam.org.uk/our-engines/cornish-engines/bull-engine/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200111104634/https://waterandsteam.org.uk/our-engines/cornish-engines/bull-engine/) 11 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine London Museum of Water & Steam. Retrieved 11 January 2020.

1. ["Ding Dong Mine, Cornwall"](https://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/mines/st-ives-st.erth-zennor/ding-dong.htm) Cornwall Calling. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Edward Bull](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bull) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bull?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.