Thomas Blanchard, an American mechanic and inventor, born at Sutton, Worcester co., Mass., June 24, 1788, died in Boston, April 16, 1864. While engaged with his brother in making tacks by hand, he conceived the idea of inventing a machine for the purpose. He was then only 18 years old, and it was six years before the invention was perfected. Finally, so effective was the machine, that by placing in the hopper the iron to be worked, and applying the motive power, 500 tacks were made per minute, with better finish than had ever been attained before. Soon after completing this task he undertook to invent a ma-chine for turning gun barrels throughout their entire length by one self-directing operation, and accomplished it with entire success. It not only cuts the cylindrical part of the barrel, but the flattened portion as well without the intervention of hand work. This was followed by the invention of a lathe for turning gun stocks and other irregular forms, which came into general use at once. Mr. Blanchard was also interested at an early day in the construction of railroads and locomotives, and of steamboats so contrived as to ascend rapids of considerable force. He invented a steam wagon before any railroad had ever been laid.

He took out upward of 25 patents during his lifetime, from some of which he derived considerable profit. His last years he spent in Boston in the business of bending heavy timbers to any desired form by a process of his own invention.