Innovation isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it happens in the hum of a spinning blade, in the quiet discipline of a Shaker community, or in the clever mind of a woman who saw a better way and made it real. Such is the story of Tabitha Babbitt, the oft-overlooked woman behind one of the most game-changing tools in modern industry: the circular saw.
While her name might not roll off the tongue like Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell, Babbitt’s contribution was no less revolutionary. Her 1813 design introduced a more efficient way to cut wood—one that would become a cornerstone of industrial woodwork. Yet, like many women inventors of her time, she received no patent, no formal credit, and little historical attention.
Let’s set the record straight.
A Shaker Woman With Sharp Ideas
Tabitha Babbitt was a member of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, a religious sect known for their craftsmanship, innovation, and egalitarian values. Based in Harvard, Massachusetts, Babbitt lived in a community that valued collective ownership and contribution over individual recognition.
That ethos likely influenced her decision not to patent her invention, as it was customary within the Shaker community to eschew personal profit for the greater good. But that doesn’t mean her contribution was minor.
She observed the men in her community sawing logs with a two-man pit saw, which required two workers to push and pull a long blade back and forth. The physical toll was immense, and—crucially—only one half of the motion actually cut wood. The return stroke was a waste of energy.
Her solution? A circular blade that rotated continuously, cutting in a single, uninterrupted motion. It was mounted to a spindle and powered by a water wheel—an innovation that laid the groundwork for modern sawmills.
“Babbitt attached a circular blade to her spinning wheel and created the prototype for a new kind of saw—one that didn’t waste movement or manpower.”
— National Women’s History Museum
Why Didn’t She Get Credit?
Simple answer: she was a woman in the early 19th century. While women were inventing and building, the patent system and cultural recognition were almost exclusively male-dominated. The U.S. Patent Office was established in 1790, but societal expectations kept women out of legal and economic spheres, making it nearly impossible to claim intellectual property.
And for Babbitt, as a Shaker, pursuing individual ownership of her idea may have gone against her values. She reportedly never applied for a patent, although many believe she could have easily secured one had she been permitted or encouraged to do so.
Meanwhile, male inventors went on to patent similar tools in the decades that followed. Babbitt’s innovation was widely used, but her name slowly slipped out of the narrative.
The Industrial Impact
The circular saw would go on to revolutionise carpentry and manufacturing. Its ability to cut more efficiently and with less manpower made it an essential tool in sawmills and workshops across the world.
Today, the circular saw is a staple of industrial timber production, home renovation projects, and nearly every professional trade involving wood. You’ll find it in every Bunnings, on every job site, and in countless tool sheds.
And yet, how many know the story of the woman who first made it spin?
Recognising Women’s Invisible Labour
Babbitt’s story is sadly not unique. Women have been left out of the history books for centuries—particularly in science, invention, and engineering. From Mary
Kies, the first woman to receive a U.S. patent (for hat weaving), to Hedy Lamarr, who co-invented the technology behind modern Wi-Fi, too many women have contributed profoundly while being overlooked or erased.
“Women have long been inventing behind the scenes—often without credit, compensation, or even basic acknowledgement.”
— SheThrives
Why It Matters Now
Today, only 13% of patent holders globally are women, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation. This isn’t because women aren’t innovating—it’s because the structures that support invention still don’t serve them equally.
Stories like Tabitha Babbitt’s matter because they help us reframe history. They challenge us to look beyond the headlines and dig into the quiet, revolutionary acts that shape the world—often led by women.
Learning From Tabitha
Tabitha Babbitt reminds us that impact doesn’t always come from recognition. Sometimes it comes from the work itself—from solving a problem, improving a process, or simply making something better.
She also reminds us that we have work to do. As we celebrate women in STEM, industry, and design, let’s amplify the voices of women past and present whose contributions have been hidden too long.
Let’s ask: who’s still being overlooked? And what systems are keeping them silent?
Sources and Further Reading
- National Women’s History Museum: Tabitha Babbitt Biography
- Britannica: Circular Saw
- WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization): Gender Gap in Innovation
- Smithsonian Magazine: America’s Female Inventors