Excerpts from the book:

"The various articles in this book, describing the
making of the goods, are essentially short, and while
giving the general or most important processes many
intermediate operations are not mentioned, which, of
course also have an important bearing on the workmanship and quality of the finished tool.

The interior views of the factory are from photographs of Sections only of Departments, and while serving to give some idea of the facilities, etc., do not by any means convey an adequate impression of the immensity of the Plant, which can only be appreciated by a trip through the Works."

"PAST and PRESENT

As far as can be learned the first saws of any kind manufactured in the United States were made by William Rowland, who started in business in Philadelphia in 1806.

In 1823 Aaron Nichols, started a small plant in Philadelphia, and in 1828 or 1829 a firm in New York City commenced the making of circular saws from English Steel, which were about the first circular saws made in this country.  Noah Worrel started in New York about 1835 to make trowels and small circular saws.  In 1833 William & Charles Johnson commenced the manufacture of saws in Philadelphia and it was with this concern that Henry Disston learned his trade.

In 1840 the firm of William & Charles Johnson failed and Henry Disston accepted from them some tools, steel and such material as he could get in the saw manufacturing line on account of amount due him and began the manufacture of saws in his own name.  After this there were several small industries started, such as Jonathan Paul in 1840, J. Bringhurst in 1842, James Turner in 1843 and Walter Cresson in 1845.  These latter were each in turn bought out by Henry Disston."