On March 19, 1850, Phineas Quimby was issued a patent for a machine for Steering Ships and Steamboats.

Quimby was a watch and clockmaker by trade and held several patents for mechanical devices.

His other patents included:
(a) US patent no.5650X, (held jointly with Job White: White & Quimby), dated 12 September 1829, for a “Circular Sawing Machine” (a later patent, lodged by Job White, US patent no.16157, dated 2 December 1856, for a “Method of Applying Steam to and of Cutting Scarfs from Wood” refers to this earlier patent);

(b) US patent no.9679X, (held by P. Quimby), dated 23 May 1836, for a “Permutation Lock”

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