born , March 6, 1812, Freeport, Mass., U.S.
died Jan. 9, 1895, Birmingham, Eng.
U.S. watch manufacturer.
After studying the methods used at the Springfield Armory , he mastered the technical difficulties of machine production of small parts, set up a factory in Waltham, Mass., in 1850, and began to produce the first inexpensive factory-made watches with interchangeable parts . His introduction of machinery into the manufacture of paper boxes and other paper products resulted in the founding of the Dennison Manufacturing Co. He is regarded as the father of American watchmaking.