In 1777 Samuel Miller of Southampton, England, received the first patent for a circular saw. His wind- powered machine's usefulness was limited, however, for want of a more powerful energy source. Thirty-six years later Tabitha Babbit, a Shaker woman from the Harvard Shaker village, invented a circular saw of her own. Her religious beliefs prevented her from seeking a patent, but the new invention became popular in her community. Babbit's saw was initially human-powered, but waterwheels and steam were soon harnessed for added convenience and efficiency. Sawmills adopted the circular saw, and the tool was soon at the heart of the lumber industry.
The circular saw is a relatively simple device that dramatically improves on the efficiency of a standard handsaw, where half of each stroke is wasted effort. Circular saws cut by spinning circular serrated blades at high speeds into the timber passed through them.
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