Photo of Sarah Tabitha Babbitt

Sarah Tabitha Babbitt

1779 - 1853
Inventor; Tool Maker
USA USA

Personal Information

Born: 1779

Died: 1853

Country of Birth: USA

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Education

Shaker schools

Professional Life

Field of Study: Inventor; Tool Maker

Institution/Corporation: Harvard Shaker Community

Degrees & Memberships: Member of Harvard Shaker Community (1793)

Awards & Achievements

Awards: none

Achievements: Circular saw, improved spinning wheel head, & manufactured false teeth, a process for manufacturing cut nails that was later attributed to Eli Whitney; never applied/received a patent because Quakers didn't believe in them; all her inventions were ultimately attributed to men; 1st circular saw she allegedly made is on display in albany, NY; as a young woman was a weaver;

1793, became a Shaker

Credited with inventing the circular saw, spinning wheel head, & improved false teeth

Didn't patent her inventions & references to her accomplishments only exist in Shaker lore

All of her inventions were claimed &/or attributed to men