The Biographical Dictionary of America/Babbitt, Isaac

B.

BABBITT, Isaac, inventor, was born at Taunton, Mass., July 26, 1799. His early occupation was that of a goldsmith. He investigated and experimented with alloys until he produced britannia-ware, in 1824, the first manufactured in America. In 1834 he engaged with the Alger iron works, Boston, and while there perfected his most important invention, "Babbitt" metal, an alloy of four parts copper, eight of antimony, and twenty-four of Banca tin, used for reducing the friction of axles in heavy machinery. He was awarded for the invention a gold medal by the Massachusetts mechanics' association, and the sum of twenty thousand dollars by Congress. He patented the formula in England in 1844, and in Russia in 1847. He subsequently made a fortune as a manufacturer of soap. He died in Somerville, Mass., May 26, 1862.