EVANS, OLIVER (1755-1819), American mechanician, was born at Newport (Del.), in 1755. He was apprenticed to a wheelwright, and at the age of 22 he invented a machine for mak ing the card-teeth used in carding wool and cotton. In 178o he became a partner with his brothers, who were practical millers, and soon introduced various labour-saving appliances which both cheapened and improved the processes of flour-milling. Turning his attention to the steam engine, he employed steam at a rel atively high pressure. The plans of his invention were sent over to England in 1787 and it is said were seen by R. Trevithick. Evans made use of his engine for driving mill machinery; and in 1803 constructed a steam-dredging machine, which also pro pelled itself on land. He died in New York on April 16, 1819.