John Blish
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John Bell Blish (September 8, 1860 – December 22, 1921) was an American inventor known primarily for developing the Blish lock, used in the Thompson submachine gun, more commonly known as the "Tommy Gun." Blish licensed the patent for his lock to the Auto-Ordnance Corporation in 1915 in return for company stock. Blish was a career United States naval officer, serving as
executive officer An executive officer is a person who is principally responsible for leading all or part of an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization. In many militaries and police forces, an executive officer, o ...
on the U.S. warships ''Niagara'' and ''Vicksburg'' (PG-11) during the Spanish–American War. He retired from the United States Navy with the rank of
Commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain. ...
in 1919. Blish was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.


Namesake

The USS ''John Blish'', a survey ship commissioned during World War II, was named after him.


External links


''Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships'': ''John Blish''The Unofficial Tommy Gun Page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blish, John Bell 1860 births 1921 deaths 20th-century American inventors American military personnel of the Spanish–American War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery United States Navy officers


References