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Sir William Mills (24 April 1856 - 1932) of Sunderland was the inventor of the Mills bomb which was developed and manufactured at his factory in Birmingham, England. The Mills bomb was the hand grenade most widely used by British and Imperial forces during the First World War. He was knighted in 1922.〔()〕 ==Early life== William Mills was born on 26 April 1856 in Wear Street, Southwick, Sunderland. He was the son of David Mills, a shipbuilder, and his wife Sarah Ann Kirkaldy.〔(www.millsmarine.com-history )〕〔(www.britgolfcollectors.wyenet.co.uk )〕 It was recorded by the Sunderland historian James Watson Corder that David Mills had an interest in the Sunderland-based Mills shipbuilding firm, however it was actually run by his brothers George and John. By 1871, William Mills and his family had moved to 22 Camden Street, Sunderland. David Mills was recorded as a joiner in the Census taken that year. William was a butcher, however he soon switched careers and began a seven-year apprenticeship with George Clarke, the famous Marine Engineers of Sunderland. After completing his apprenticeship, Mills spent seven years at sea, obtaining a first class Certificate as a Marine Engineer in 1884. It was during his time at sea that Mills witnessed great loss of life caused by the unsafe engaging and disengaging methods used on ship lifeboats. The experience prompted him to invent a simple, safe and efficient method, which was first exhibited at the Liverpool Shipowners' Exhibition in 1886. Mills was awarded a Gold Medal by the Mercantile Marine Service's Assoiation for his efforts, as well as an Exhibition Gold Medal. The Board of Trade quickly approved his design and it came into worldwide use in both naval and merchant vessels. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「William Mills (inventor)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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