Fairbanks was born in [[Brimfield, Massachusetts]], in 1796. In 1815 he moved to [[St. Johnsbury, Vermont]], and set up a wheelwright's shop above his father's [[gristmill]].<ref name ="duffy119"> Duffy, p. 119 </ref> In 1820 he married Lucy Peck Barker. In 1824 he built an iron foundry and his brother [[Erastus Fairbanks | Erastus]] joined him to establish "E. and T. Fairbanks", a partnership to manufacture heating stoves, cast iron plows, and farm implements.<ref name="Fairbanks1"/>
Fairbanks was born in [[Brimfield, Massachusetts]], in 1796. In 1815 he moved to [[St. Johnsbury, Vermont]], and set up a wheelwright's shop above his father's [[gristmill]].<ref name ="duffy119"> Duffy, p. 119 </ref> In 1820 he married Lucy Peck Barker. In 1824 he built an iron foundry and his brother [[Erastus Fairbanks | Erastus]] joined him to establish "E. and T. Fairbanks", a partnership to manufacture heating stoves, cast iron plows, and farm implements.<ref name="Fairbanks1"/>
In 1830 Fairbanks and Erastus became interested in the raising and processing of hemp. Fairbanks, being mechanically minded, made and patented a hemp and flax dressing machine at this time. He became the manager of the St. Johnsbury Hemp Company. He also built a set of scales that would measure large loads(削除) accuractly (削除ここまで) of hemp as there (削除) was (削除ここまで) no sure scales at the time that would do this. Upon the success of building these scales his brothers recommended that he make and sell these as town scales.<ref name ="fairbanks2"> Ullery, ''Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of Vermont.'' Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 129-133(削除) (削除ここまで)</ref> Fairbanks obtained an agent to (削除) attemp (削除ここまで) this and remarked, {{cquote|''While sitting up watching for the time to call him, the principle upon which we now build our scales suddenly came into my mind. I told the agent that he must wait a few days until I could make plans and patterns in accordance with my new discovery, and said to my wife that I had just discovered a principle that would be worth more than a thousand dollars.''<ref name ="fairbanks2"/>}}
In 1830 Fairbanks and Erastus became interested in the raising and processing of hemp. Fairbanks, being mechanically minded, made and patented a hemp and flax dressing machine at this time. He became the manager of the St. Johnsbury Hemp Company. He also built a set of scales that would measure large loads of hemp(追記) accurately, (追記ここまで) as there (追記) were (追記ここまで) no sure scales at the time that would do this. Upon the success of building these scales his brothers recommended that he make and sell these as town scales.<ref name ="fairbanks2"> Ullery, ''Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of Vermont.'' Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 129-133(追記) . (追記ここまで)</ref> Fairbanks obtained an agent to (追記) attempt (追記ここまで) this and remarked, {{cquote|''While sitting up watching for the time to call him, the principle upon which we now build our scales suddenly came into my mind. I told the agent that he must wait a few days until I could make plans and patterns in accordance with my new discovery, and said to my wife that I had just discovered a principle that would be worth more than a thousand dollars.''<ref name ="fairbanks2"/>}}
Fairbanks most famous invention then became the platform scale for weighing heavy objects. These are commonly known as the [[Fairbanks Scales]] which he patented a design(削除) for (削除ここまで) in 1830.<ref name="Fairbanks1"/> In 1834 Fairbanks (削除) with (削除ここまで) his brothers formed "E. and T. Fairbanks and Company" to manufacture and sell these platform scales.
Fairbanks(追記) ' (追記ここまで) most famous invention then became the platform scale for weighing heavy objects. These are commonly known as the [[Fairbanks Scales]](追記) , for (追記ここまで) which he patented a design in 1830.<ref name="Fairbanks1"/>(追記) Before this time, accurate weighing of objects required hanging them from a balancing beam; as a result, particularly heavy or ungainly objects could not be weighed accurately. A platform scale, if large enough, could weigh an entire wagon. (追記ここまで) In 1834 Fairbanks (追記) and (追記ここまで) his brothers formed "E. and T. Fairbanks and Company" to manufacture and sell these platform scales.
[[Image:Very large Fairbanks scale..jpg|thumb|left|Very large [[Fairbanks Scales|Fairbanks scale]]<br /> (scale: little boy)]]
[[Image:Very large Fairbanks scale..jpg|thumb|left|Very large [[Fairbanks Scales|Fairbanks scale]]<br /> (scale: little boy)]]
These scales were well known in the United States and around the world. The company doubled in (削除) volumne (削除ここまで) every three years from 1842 to 1857. There was a temporary slow down during the Civil War, however the business took off again after the war. Their partnership was incorporated in 1874 into a firm known as "Fairbanks Scale Company" and sold on a large scale.<ref name ="Ingham360"> Ingham, p. 360 </ref>
These scales were well known in the United States and around the world. The company doubled in (追記) volume (追記ここまで) every three years from 1842 to 1857. There was a temporary slow down during the(追記) [[American (追記ここまで) Civil War(追記) ]] (追記ここまで), however the business took off again after the war. Their partnership was incorporated in 1874 into a firm known as "Fairbanks Scale Company" and sold on a large scale.<ref name ="Ingham360"> Ingham, p. 360 </ref>
These platform scales revolutionized weighing methods of large loads that has been in use ever since. Portable platform scales are found in almost every hardware store, physician's office, and manufacturing factory throughout the United States. The first railway track platform scale was granted to Fairbanks on January 13, 1857, (削除) under (削除ここまで)(削除) patent (削除ここまで) No. 16,381. In 1916 the company was purchased by [[Fairbanks-Morse|Fairbanks, Morse and Company]]. Ownership of the company has since changed several times but the Fairbanks Scales continued to be made in St. Johnsbury up to 1996.<ref name ="Ingham360"/>(削除) (削除ここまで)
These platform scales revolutionized weighing methods of large loads that has been in use ever since. Portable platform scales are found in almost every hardware store, physician's office, and manufacturing factory throughout the United States. The first railway track platform scale(追記) petent (追記ここまで) was granted to Fairbanks on January 13, 1857, (追記) as (追記ここまで) (追記) Patent (追記ここまで) No. 16,381. In 1916 the company was purchased by [[Fairbanks-Morse|Fairbanks, Morse and Company]]. Ownership of the company has since changed several times but the Fairbanks Scales continued to be made in St. Johnsbury up to 1996.<ref name ="Ingham360"/>
Fairbanks received 43 patents in his lifetime with the last one at the age 91. He died on 12 April 1886 and is buried at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.<ref name ="Ingham360"/>
Fairbanks received 43 patents in his lifetime with the last one at the age 91. He died on 12 April 1886(追記) , (追記ここまで) and is buried at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.<ref name ="Ingham360"/>
brothers Erastus (1792-1864) Joseph P. (1806-1855)
Thaddeus Fairbanks was an American inventor. He was an inventor of heating and cook stoves, cast iron plows, and other items.[1] His greatest success was the invention and manufacture of the platform scale, which allowed the weighing of large objects.
Biography
Fairbanks was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1796. In 1815 he moved to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and set up a wheelwright's shop above his father's gristmill.[2] In 1820 he married Lucy Peck Barker. In 1824 he built an iron foundry and his brother Erastus joined him to establish "E. and T. Fairbanks", a partnership to manufacture heating stoves, cast iron plows, and farm implements.[1]
In 1830 Fairbanks and Erastus became interested in the raising and processing of hemp. Fairbanks, being mechanically minded, made and patented a hemp and flax dressing machine at this time. He became the manager of the St. Johnsbury Hemp Company. He also built a set of scales that would measure large loads of hemp accurately, as there were no sure scales at the time that would do this. Upon the success of building these scales his brothers recommended that he make and sell these as town scales.[3] Fairbanks obtained an agent to attempt this and remarked,
While sitting up watching for the time to call him, the principle upon which we now build our scales suddenly came into my mind. I told the agent that he must wait a few days until I could make plans and patterns in accordance with my new discovery, and said to my wife that I had just discovered a principle that would be worth more than a thousand dollars.[3]
Fairbanks' most famous invention then became the platform scale for weighing heavy objects. These are commonly known as the Fairbanks Scales, for which he patented a design in 1830.[1] Before this time, accurate weighing of objects required hanging them from a balancing beam; as a result, particularly heavy or ungainly objects could not be weighed accurately. A platform scale, if large enough, could weigh an entire wagon. In 1834 Fairbanks and his brothers formed "E. and T. Fairbanks and Company" to manufacture and sell these platform scales.
These scales were well known in the United States and around the world. The company doubled in volume every three years from 1842 to 1857. There was a temporary slow down during the American Civil War, however the business took off again after the war. Their partnership was incorporated in 1874 into a firm known as "Fairbanks Scale Company" and sold on a large scale.[4]
These platform scales revolutionized weighing methods of large loads that has been in use ever since. Portable platform scales are found in almost every hardware store, physician's office, and manufacturing factory throughout the United States. The first railway track platform scale petent was granted to Fairbanks on January 13, 1857, as Patent No. 16,381. In 1916 the company was purchased by Fairbanks, Morse and Company. Ownership of the company has since changed several times but the Fairbanks Scales continued to be made in St. Johnsbury up to 1996.[4]
Fairbanks received 43 patents in his lifetime with the last one at the age 91. He died on 12 April 1886, and is buried at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.[4]
Awards
In 1826 Fairbanks received a patent on a cast iron plow and a refrigerator. In 1830 he received a patent on the platform scale known as the Fairbanks Scales. In 1842 Fairbanks founded St. Johnsbury Academy with brother Erastus as well as founded St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, St. Johnsbury Rotary Planetarium, and the Fairbanks Museum.
^ ab Ullery, Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of Vermont. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 129-133.
