The scale was a comparatively simple invention, but many of the machines invented by Mr. Fairbanks for facilitating the manufacture were exceedingly ingenious, and his inventions were not merely for scales, for which and machines for making them he received thirty-two patents. He patented also a hemp machine, a stove, a cast iron plough, a steam heater, a steam water heater, a feed water heater, and an improvement in refrigerators. His last patent was allowed upon his ninetieth birthday, a short time before his death in 1886.

      His benefactions to education were numerous in St. Johnsbury and elsewhere.
 

Source:  Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company, 1904, page 119-120.

Prepared by Tom Dunn, April 2006