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Sarah “Tabitha” Babbitt

A member of the Harvard Shakers in Harvard, Massachusetts, Sarah “Tabitha” Babbitt (1779-1853) was a tool-maker and inventor. She is credited with inventing the first circular saw for use in a saw mill, the spinning wheel head, and false teeth. Purportedly, Babbitt developed the idea for the circular saw, which could be connected to a water powered machine, after watching workers struggle while using a whipsaw, which was a highly inefficient tool. Unfortunately, she did not patent any of her inventions, leaving the veracity of her legacy in doubt.