BABBITT, Isaac, inventor, born in Taunton, Massachusetts, 26 July 1799; died in Somerville, Massachusetts, 26 May 1862. He was a goldsmith by trade, and early turned his attention to the production of alloys, and in 1824 made in Taunton the first britannia ware manufactured in the United States. As this proved financially unsuccessful, he withdrew, and in 1834 removed to Boston, where he engaged with the South Boston Iron Company, better known as Alger's foundries. While there employed, in 1839, he discovered the now well-known anti-friction metal that bears his name and is so extensively used in lining boxes for axles and gudgeons. For this invention he received in 1841 a gold medal from the Massachusetts charitable mechanic's association, and afterward congress granted him $20,000. He subsequently patented this material in England (1844) and in Russia (1847). For some time he devoted his attention to the production of the metal, and he was also engaged in the manufacture of soap.