The history of sandblasting is as old as the universe because it is a naturally occurring system. It would be fair to say that no person actually invented sandblasting, rather they were able to harness it.

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Dust, sand, or particles picked up by the wind has the potential to alter the surface of another object on impact.

All over the earth, there are examples of sandblasting, more commonly known as wind erosion. The Aeolian Process is the geological term for this system. The Aeolian process is concerned with wind activity and its ability to alter the shape of the Earth. Photos taken by the MARS Rover have shown strikingly similar erosion properties to those seen here on Earth. There is also no doubt that this process takes a very long time to show any appreciable difference. If the airborne sand has a high velocity or the surface being hit is soft then the process will speed up.

Now back to my opening comment.

We simply harnessed a naturally occurring process into modern systems that now allow us to ‘erode’ at will.

Back to the sandblasting history

1870 – Benjamin Chew Tilghman

Benjamin Chew Tilghman, born on October 26, 1821, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, was the son of Benjamin Tilghman and Anna Maria McMurtrie. He grew up in Dock Ward, Philadelphia, and lived a remarkable life. During the Civil War, he played a crucial role as a Union Brevet Brigadier General, serving with distinction in various positions, including Colonel and commander of both the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and the 3rd United States Colored Troops. For his “meritorious services,” he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on April 13, 1865.

The lightbulb moment

The idea of sandblasting came to him while he was in the military, observing the effects of windblown sand on windows in the desert. Drawing inspiration from this natural occurrence, Tilghman filed his first patent for sandblasting in the United States around 1870, followed by a patent in the UK later that year.

Tilghman’s invention quickly garnered recognition and awards, propelling him to further explore its potential. Over time, he made modifications to adapt the technique for new applications, enhancing the method’s versatility and efficacy.

Birth of an industry

The success of his sandblasting invention led to the establishment of “Tilghman’s Patent Sand Blast Co.” in London and moved the company to Altrincham, near Manchester, in 1879.  The company changed its name to Tilghman Wheelabrator, which later evolved into the renowned Wheelabrator Group. With its head office still operating out of Altrincham, the Wheelabrator Group continues to thrive to this day, leaving a lasting legacy for its visionary founder.

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Benjamin Chew Tilghman’s pioneering spirit and innovative mind not only made him a distinguished military figure but also a key figure in the history of sandblasting, a process that revolutionized surface treatment and preparation across various industries.

U.S. Patent No. 104,408 – sandblasting (1870)

Benjamin went on to submit many other patents however it is this one that he will be best remembered.

1904 – Thomas Pangborn

In 1897, a young 17-year-old named Thomas Pangborn embarked on his journey at the Belleville Copper Rolling Mills in Newark, New Jersey, close to his hometown of New York. Rising through the ranks, he eventually found himself in the general offices in New York and joined the sales department while simultaneously enrolling part-time at the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

See a need, fill a need

During his time as a sales representative for foundry equipment, Thomas Pangborn immersed himself in the world of metalworking and manufacturing. He keenly observed what he perceived as a deficiency in innovative methods for efficiently cleaning cast metal products. This personal quest for a solution led him to stumble upon the concept of sandblasting, which he recognized as the state-of-the-art approach to cast cleaning.

In 1904 Thomas Pangborn expanded on Tilghman’s idea and incorporated compressed air with the blast media. This created the foundation of the Pangborn Group which manufactures and supplies blasting machines and parts to the US as well as China, Italy, UK and Germany.

Air Power!

Although sandblasting had existed for 35 years prior, its applications had been limited to glass and steel. It was Thomas Pangborn who championed its widespread adoption and acceptance in the realm of foundry work. The outdated and ineffective methods of cleaning castings, such as coarse files, wire brushes, emery stones, and acid baths, were swiftly replaced by the remarkable advancements brought forth by sandblasting.

Through Pangborn’s vision and ingenuity, sandblasting transformed into a game-changing technique that revolutionized the foundry industry. His pioneering efforts paved the way for sandblasting to become an indispensable tool in the world of metalwork, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape the field to this day.

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