Andrew Smith Hallidie
| Andrew Smith Hallidie | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
March 16, 1836 London, United Kingdom |
| Died |
April 24, 1900 (aged 64) San Francisco, USA |
| Occupation | promoter of the Clay Street Hill Railroad |
| Known for | Inventing the cable car and father of the present day San Francisco cable car system |
Andrew Smith Hallidie (March 16, 1836 – April 24, 1900) was the promoter of the Clay Street Hill Railroad in San Francisco, USA. This was the world's first practical cable car system, and Hallidie is often therefore regarded as the inventor of the cable car and father of the present day San Francisco cable car system, although both claims are open to dispute. He also introduced the manufacture of wire rope to California, and at an early age was a prolific builder of bridges in the Californian interior.
Andrew Smith Hallidie was born Andrew Smith, later adopting the name Hallidie in honor of his uncle, Sir Andrew Hallidie. His birthplace is variously quoted as London in the United Kingdom. His father, Andrew Smith, had been born in Fleming, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in 1798, and his mother, Julia Johnstone Smith, was from Lockerbie, Dumfrieshire.
The younger Smith was initially apprenticed to a machine shop and drawing office. In 1852 both father and son set sail for California, where the father had an interest in some gold mines in Mariposa County. These proved disappointing, and the father returned to England in 1853. The son, however, remained in California, and became a gold miner whilst also working as a blacksmith, surveyor and builder of bridges.
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