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Private company

Mason Machine Works

Machine Manufacturing Industry in Massachusetts, United States of America

The Mason Machine Works was a machinery manufacturing company located in Taunton, Massachusetts, between 1845 and 1944. The company became famous for an early invention by its creator, William Mason, the self-acting mule, first patented in 1840. The company also later produced locomotives, rifles during the American Civil War, and later printing presses.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

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Mason Machine Works
Photo: Mason Machine Works, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons4

The Mason Machine Works was a machinery manufacturing company located in Taunton, Massachusetts, between 1845 and 1944. The company became famous for an early invention by its creator, William Mason, the self-acting mule, first patented in 1840. The company also later produced locomotives, rifles during the American Civil War, and later printing presses. However, the production of textile machinery would remain the company's core business during the late 19th century, until its decline in the 1920s.2

The story

Founded by William Mason.1

The son of a blacksmith born in 1808 at Mystic, Connecticut, William Mason became a skilled master mechanic while still in his teens, working for various companies in the Killingly, Connecticut, area that were involved with machinery for the growing textile industry.

In 1835, Mason moved to Taunton, Massachusetts, to work for Crocker and Richmond, a company that made ring spinning frames for the cotton textile industry. While the firm failed in the financial crisis of 1837, it was soon taken over by Leach and Keith. Mason was made foreman.

From Wikipedia’s article on Mason Machine Works, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Leadership

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Sources

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