Inventor, Author, Engineer. After receiving only a limited formal education he began his career at an engineering works in Whitechapel, London. Wile there he made improvements to the design of the tricycle, and by 1854 had set up his own business in Holborn as a scientific instrument maker. In 1855 he introduced the "Panoptic Stereoscope" which proved so successful that he was able to open a second shop in Holborn Bars. He was awarded a medal at the International Exhibition of 1862 for his straight line dividing engine. This secured his reputation as an engineer, and in 1900 he set up the firm W F Stanley and Company. He wrote many technical publications, including "A Descriptive Treatise of Mathematical Drawing Instruments" (1866) which ran to seven editions and was regarded as the definitive work on the subject. He later worked to improve the theodolite and other surveying instruments, and in 1867 patented a meteormeter, for recording wind direction and pressure. Other inventions included an integrating anemometer in 1883, a slot machine for measuring people's height in 1886 and a device for recording lung capacity in 1887. He was also interested in the arts, and was a talented painter, wood carver, musician and actor. His oil paintings were exhibited at the Marlborough Gallery and he wrote a guide to photography, "Photography Made Easy" in 1872. He also designed and paid for the Stanley Halls and the Stanley Technical School, and designed his own house, "Cumberlow" to which he eventually retired.

Inventor, Author, Engineer. After receiving only a limited formal education he began his career at an engineering works in Whitechapel, London. Wile there he made improvements to the design of the tricycle, and by 1854 had set up his own business in Holborn as a scientific instrument maker. In 1855 he introduced the "Panoptic Stereoscope" which proved so successful that he was able to open a second shop in Holborn Bars. He was awarded a medal at the International Exhibition of 1862 for his straight line dividing engine. This secured his reputation as an engineer, and in 1900 he set up the firm W F Stanley and Company. He wrote many technical publications, including "A Descriptive Treatise of Mathematical Drawing Instruments" (1866) which ran to seven editions and was regarded as the definitive work on the subject. He later worked to improve the theodolite and other surveying instruments, and in 1867 patented a meteormeter, for recording wind direction and pressure. Other inventions included an integrating anemometer in 1883, a slot machine for measuring people's height in 1886 and a device for recording lung capacity in 1887. He was also interested in the arts, and was a talented painter, wood carver, musician and actor. His oil paintings were exhibited at the Marlborough Gallery and he wrote a guide to photography, "Photography Made Easy" in 1872. He also designed and paid for the Stanley Halls and the Stanley Technical School, and designed his own house, "Cumberlow" to which he eventually retired.