Hussey, Obed

Hussey, Obed (1791–1859) inventor, mechanical engineer; born on Nantucket Island, Mass. He invented a mowing and reaping machine, first used successfully in 1833. Cyrus McCormick sued him for patent infringment, but the patent office ruled in Hussey's favor. Although Hussey made improvements on his reaping machine and won the Great Exhibit of 1851, McCormick eventually became the leading manufacturer of reapers.