Thaddeus Fairbanks

Inventor

Thaddeus Fairbanks was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, United States on January 17th, 1796 and is the Inventor. At the age of 90, Thaddeus Fairbanks biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.

  Report
Date of Birth
January 17, 1796
Nationality
United States
Place of Birth
Brimfield, Massachusetts, United States
Death Date
Apr 12, 1886 (age 90)
Zodiac Sign
Capricorn
Profession
Businessperson, Inventor
Thaddeus Fairbanks Height, Weight, Eye Color and Hair Color

At 90 years old, Thaddeus Fairbanks physical status not available right now. We will update Thaddeus Fairbanks's height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, and measurements.

Height
Not Available
Weight
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Hair Color
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Eye Color
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Build
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Measurements
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Thaddeus Fairbanks Religion, Education, and Hobbies
Religion
Not Available
Hobbies
Not Available
Education
Not Available
Thaddeus Fairbanks Spouse(s), Children, Affair, Parents, and Family
Spouse(s)
Lucy Peck Barker (m. 1820–1866, her death)
Children
2
Dating / Affair
Not Available
Parents
Not Available
Siblings
Erastus Fairbanks (brother), Ephraim Paddock (uncle), Horace Fairbanks (nephew), Franklin Fairbanks (nephew)
Thaddeus Fairbanks Career

In 1830, Fairbanks patented a hemp-and-flax-dressing device called a Haynes machine and became the general manager of the Saint Johnsbury Hemp Company. This enterprise included mechanical scales that suspended heavy objects from log beams to weigh the large loads of hemp straw brought in by farmers; these scales which were not accurate, making it difficult to determine how much to pay sellers for their product.

After experimenting with designs for a more accurate weighing method, Fairbanks devised a platform scale, which revolutionized the farming and business worlds by making it easy to weigh large containers. By placing a full wagon or railroad car on the scale to weigh it when full, unloading it, weighing it empty, and subtracting the difference, The Fairbanks scale enabled accurate weighing of products and payment to the sellers. Fairbanks received a patent on the platform scale, which his brothers advised him to produce and sell. In 1834, Fairbanks and his brothers Erastus and Joseph formed E. & T. Fairbanks Company to make and market the Fairbanks platform scale.

Fairbanks scales were displayed at ten international expositions including London, Paris, Vienna, Philadelphia, Chicago, Buffalo and St. Louis, where they were awarded gold and silver medals for technological advancement. He received many foreign awards, including a knighthood and the Imperial Order of Franz Joseph from the Emperor of Austria. He also received a gold medal from the King of Siam, and medals and honors from the Bey of Tunis.

Continued career

Fairbanks scales became popular worldwide and units sold overseas included the metric system and the numerals of the country where they were sold (i.e. Chinese characters). In 1874, the business partnership was incorporated as the Fairbanks Scale Company. By 1885, 1,000 workers were employed at the main factory in St. Johnsbury and they 70,000 scales a year. Other factories were established in Asian and African countries, including Russia, Holland, Cuba, Siam, and Japan. In 1916, the E. & T. Fairbanks Company was reincorporated as Fairbanks, Morse & Company. Ownership has since changed hands several times but Fairbanks platform scales are still made in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont.

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