McManus 168

Peter Gibson was born to Joseph Gibson, a blacksmith^[8] in the parish of Tealing, and his wife, Jean Mealmaker in 1804.^[1]

While his father and his younger brother, William, remained in Newbigging, Peter himself (and also his elder brother, Joseph), made their way into Dundee to make their living. This was after the point that Peter claimed his part in the introduction of a new invention – that of the reaping machine.

Patrick Bell (1799-1869) is credited with having designed the first practical, mechanical reaping machine which had several features that were incorporated into early combine harvesters.^[20]

However, Peter Gibson, a fellow from a neighbouring parish, in a letter to the Northern Warder, claimed:

‘I was the first that brought the reaping machine into practice. I made the principal part of Mr Bell’s original machine in 1826. Mr Bell had the idea: I carried it into execution; and for this invention Mr Bell obtained a premium of £50 from the National Society. In 1830, I made one. In 1832, I made four. In 1836, I made one and the last one I made was in 1844, for the Count de Bombelles, Austria. The machines were never brought into general use, principally because of the persons entrusted with them (generally one of the farmer’s own servants) not knowing how to work them properly.’^[20]

There would appear to be further evidence of general acknowledgement to support Peter Gibson’s claims. A report in the Dundee Advertiser (long after his death) gave the following impression:

‘Chicago is also the headquarters of the Harvest Machine makers, who are busily engaged for next season turning out great numbers to meet demand from Mexico, the Argentine Republic, and other South American States, and difficult to meet all the orders coming in. 

Here is a fine opportunity for a new trade to your city – almost the birthplace of these celebrated machines.

Little did Peter Gibson, of Dock Street, when a young man, think that the machine he constructed, and not understood or appreciated in his own country, but sent here for inspection and sale, to the care of the old established firm of Boorman, Johnston & Co in 1835, would turn out to be the nucleus, or rather beginning, of such a prosperous and lucrative trade. The machine was shown to inventors here, who no doubt improved and perfected the models, from which the present great industry sprung. After the great fire of 1837 it disappeared, and others reaped, along with the harvests, all the benefits to themselves.’^[22]

Although engaged in the production, fabrication and modification of working machinery, no further attributions for inventions of note were awarded to Peter Gibson. His business was doubtless involved in all the thriving trades and industries of the time within Dundee, where he remained in business until the late 1860s.

Within a few years of his retirement, Peter Gibson’s death was unremarked in the local press, a quiet ending to a promising start.