Unsung Heroes - Shankar Abaji Bhise – Prolific Inventor

Unsung heroes, often hidden in the shadows, are the individuals whose remarkable contributions and selfless actions shape the world. While the world celebrates prominent figures, it is the unsung heroes who quietly work behind the scenes, driving change, progress, and compassion. These unheralded champions emerge in various walks of life, from the local communities to global stages, leaving an indelible mark on society. Their stories inspire us to appreciate the power of humility and the profound impact that individuals can have on the world, regardless of the recognition they receive. In this series of articles we will be sharing stories of such unsung heroes of India.

Shankar Abaji Bhise, born on 29 April 1867 in Bombay, India, is one such hero. His journey from a self-taught inventor in colonial India to a celebrated innovator in England and the United States is a testament to human creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Early Years of Innovation

Bhise's early life was marked by curiosity and a passion for invention. Born in Bombay, in British Colonial India, where Bhise grew up with limited resources and a  boundless imagination. His fascination with creating things was fuelled by the pages of Scientific American Magazines, which served as his window to the world of innovation. In his early 20s, he established a club for the scientifically curious and began crafting an array of eccentric gadgets, including an electrical bicycle. Bhise also applied for a patent for a station indicator to be used in the railways. It showed the halts in the journey, the stations passed and the estimate of the time to reach the next station.

It is important to note that these innovations emerged at a time when independent Indian inventors were not supported in the British ruled India. Despite a lack of consistent funding and attention, Bhise's inventive spirit persisted.

A Game-Changing Blueprint

Bhise's breakthrough came in the 1890s when he entered a competition organized in England. The challenge was to design a machine for weighing groceries. Inspired by a flash of creativity one early morning, Bhise's blueprint astounded judges and bested British competitors, earning him the £10 prize. This victory catapulted him into the spotlight.

The Big Break: London Calling

Bhise's inventive prowess was recognised by Administrators in Bombay, who decided to support his journey to London, the epicentre of innovation and invention during that era. Armed with a letter of introduction from the legendary Sir Dinshaw Edulji Wacha and sponsorships from some Indian rulers, Bhise reached London, where his destiny would take an exciting turn.

Bhise's humble workshop in London became the birthplace of numerous creations. He designed an electronic signboard adopted by chain stores across Britain and Europe. His portfolio included an automatic flushing toilet, a telephone, and various kitchen gadgets. However, the most revolutionary invention in his arsenal was the "Bhisotype," a type-setting machine that promised to redefine the art of printing.

Despite having such a promising invention idea, Bhise struggled to secure the necessary investment to bring it to life commercially. This setback strained his financial resources.

However, the Hindu Missionary Society and several other Indian nationalist groups took upon themselves to help and promote Bhise and his inventions.  Around this period,  he crossed paths with Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a prominent freedom fighter and nationalist. Gokhale was captivated by the potential of the Bhisotype and introduced Bhise to Ratan Jamsetji Tata, a key figure in the Tata Group. This meeting led to a partnership aimed at manufacturing Bhise's inventions, including the Bhisotype. In the year 1910, Ratan Tata established the Tata Bhise Invention Syndicate in London. However when World War-I started, Shahpurji Saklatwala (who managed operations in London for Tata) shutdown Bhise's syndicate and sold off the machinery to manufacture Bhisotype.

While this partnership eventually dissolved, it paved the way for Bhise's entry into a new market: The United States of America.

Journey to the United States

In the year 1920, Bhise associated with Charles Slaughter of the Universal Type Casting Company and launched his own corporation in the US namely, “The Bhise Ideal Type Caster Corporation”. Being the prolific inventor that he was, he entered the field of Chemistry by producing a washing chemical called "Shella", thereafter he achieved fame with the invention of a ground-breaking iodine solution which he believed will cure malaria and could also make water safe for drinking. However, it was after 10 years that the iodine solution (later renamed as Atomidine) was sold as a remedy for blood pressure, pyorrhoea, malaria and influenza.

However, as Bhise's career progressed, he transitioned from science to literature and wrote a few books in Marathi and English. He also ventured into occultism, creating inventions like the "spirit typewriter", which was a unique take on the mystical Ouija Board.

Shankar Abaji Bhise breathed his last on 7 April 1935, in New York, at the age of 68. His legacy lives on through nearly 200 inventions, 40 of which are patented inventions.

Shankar Abaji Bhise's remarkable journey from a curious young inventor in colonial India to being a celebrated innovator in London and the United States is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Bhise's dedication to creativity and innovation shone through. His inventions, while not always commercially successful, left an indelible mark on the world of science and invention.

The story of Shankar Abaji Bhise (often called the "Edison of India”,) is a classic example of the power of human ingenuity and the heights that an unyielding pursuit of knowledge and invention can help achieve.