Background
Henry Disston was born on May 23, 1819 at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England. Disston was a son of Thomas and Ann (Harrod) Disston.
(This early work on saws is both expensive and hard to fin...)
This early work on saws is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains details on the construction of a variety of saws and also the methods of their maintenance such as sharpening. This is a fascinating work and is thoroughly recommended for anyone with an interest in the manufacturing of saws. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
https://www.amazon.com/Disston-Lumberman-Handbook-Containing-Construction-ebook/dp/B00AZM3WAS?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00AZM3WAS
Henry Disston was born on May 23, 1819 at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England. Disston was a son of Thomas and Ann (Harrod) Disston.
Left to his own resources, the young immigrant became a saw maker’s apprentice.
In 1840 Henry Disston started a small business of his won, with a capital of $350. He had to overcome many difficulties. The industry was then in the handicraft stage, was dependent on imported steel, and was confronted with the competition of superior English technology. In addition, Disston was unfortunate in his relations with lessors. In 1846, however, he established his factory at Front and Laurel Sts. , Philadelphia, where during the next quarter-century his business rapidly increased. As early as 1844 he made use of steam power in his saw factory. Another early innovation was the conversion of waste steel into ingots in place of its reshipment to England. Out of these early experiments he evolved formulas for the manufacture of the highest grade of crucible steel demanded by the peculiar strains to which saws are subjected, and thus the industry was at length freed from dependence on imported steel. His adaptability was indicated by his transformation of his plant during the Civil War into an establishment for manufacturing war supplies. For the purpose of making metal plates, the importation of which was interrupted by the Southern cruisers, he built a rolling-mill. An experimental sawmill was established for the purpose of determining the types of saws best adapted to various kinds of timber and to the varying needs of woodworkers. Timber was conserved by reducing the thickness of the saws while at the same time greater speed and driving power were made possible by improvements in the quality of steel and in the models of saws. The expansion of the business continued until at length the works produced all types of saws from the largest circular saw of the lumbering industry to the minute keyhole saw, and also a great variety of files, knives, screw-drivers, trowels, molders’ tools, etc. In 1871 the widely known Disston factory at Tacony, near Philadelphia, was opened. The establishment came to include a tract of several hundred acres, and a factory town rapidly grew up, the houses of the workers being financed in part by the company. The plant attracted the interest of visitors from various parts of the world. Henry Disston was not prominently connected with organized activities outside of his own business, nor was he a man of particular intellectual or cultural distinction.
He contributed liberally to community enterprises, however, building a school for the promotion of industrial and general education, maintaining a dispensary, and supporting the conventional activities.
(This early work on saws is both expensive and hard to fin...)
Henry Disston's participation in politics included membership on the Hayes electoral ticket and support of protective tariffs.
Henry Disston was unusually gifted as a mechanic and inventor, and made personally a large number of improvements. He encouraged his employees to observe defects and to suggest improvements.
Henry Disston's first marriage was to Amanda Mulvina Bickley; his second, to Mary Steelman, the mother of his children.