Thomas Blanchard (inventor)

Thomas Blanchard was an American inventor who lived much of his life in Springfield, Massachusetts, where in 1819, he pioneered the assembly line style of mass production in America, and also invented the first machining lathe for interchangeable parts. Blanchard worked, for much of his career, with the Springfield Armory. In 1825, Blanchard also invented America's first car, which he called a "horseless carriage," powered by steam. During Blanchard's lifetime, he was awarded over twenty-five patents for his creations.

24 June 1788

Born on the same birth day (24 June): Bernardo Sassetti • Bernie Nicholls • Denis Žvegelj • Donald Gordon (South African businessman) • Francis Boott (composer) • Henry Ward Beecher • Jack Carter (comedian) • Jeff Beck • Joan Clarke • John Limniatis • João Cândido Felisberto • Juan Manuel Fangio • Juan Román Riquelme • Karl Selter • Kate Parminter, Baroness Parminter • Kevin Nolan • Kurt Furgler • Mercedes Lackey • Nina Dübbers • Petra Němcová • Samuel Johnson (Nigerian historian) • William Arnold (settler)

Born in the same month (June 1788): Charles A. Wickliffe