A
hydraulic press is a device (see
machine press) using a
hydraulic cylinder to generate a compressive force. It uses the hydraulic equivalent of a mechanical
lever, and was also known as a
Bramah press after the inventor,
Joseph Bramah, of England. He invented and was issued a patent on this press in 1795. As Bramah (who is also known for his development of the
flush toilet) installed toilets, he studied the existing literature on the motion of fluids and put this knowledge into the development of the press.