Inventor. He made a name for himself as a dental inventor in the 19th century. Morrison began his study of dentistry as a 19-year-old apprentice in Steubenville, Ohio in 1848. In 1852 he received professional recognition when the Ohio State Board of Agriculture awarded him first prize for making a pair of gold dentures. Staying in the Steubenville region until 1857, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he taught his younger brother William dental techniques, which led to forming a partnership with him. Morrison continued his own dental education by studying under dentists in Paris, France and London, England between 1861 and 1869. During this time, he invented the first adjustable dental chair, acquiring both British and United States patents for it. He also marketed the chair throughout Europe and continued to make improvements to its design, which he also patented. His dental chair was entered into an International Exhibition held in London in the summer of 1873. When he returned to Missouri to practice in 1870, he made his first major contribution to restorative dentistry with the invention of power-driven dental tools. His dental engine consisted of a moveable arm and hand piece onto which a drill was attached and was powered by a foot treadle powered belt-drive. He acquired a patent for this invention, continually making improvements to it while also inventing a variety of dental accessories and instruments.
Inventor. He made a name for himself as a dental inventor in the 19th century. Morrison began his study of dentistry as a 19-year-old apprentice in Steubenville, Ohio in 1848. In 1852 he received professional recognition when the Ohio State Board of Agriculture awarded him first prize for making a pair of gold dentures. Staying in the Steubenville region until 1857, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he taught his younger brother William dental techniques, which led to forming a partnership with him. Morrison continued his own dental education by studying under dentists in Paris, France and London, England between 1861 and 1869. During this time, he invented the first adjustable dental chair, acquiring both British and United States patents for it. He also marketed the chair throughout Europe and continued to make improvements to its design, which he also patented. His dental chair was entered into an International Exhibition held in London in the summer of 1873. When he returned to Missouri to practice in 1870, he made his first major contribution to restorative dentistry with the invention of power-driven dental tools. His dental engine consisted of a moveable arm and hand piece onto which a drill was attached and was powered by a foot treadle powered belt-drive. He acquired a patent for this invention, continually making improvements to it while also inventing a variety of dental accessories and instruments.
Bio by: TJ Cochran
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