(1841–1914)
(Src: Anne Murray)
Augustine Sackett (1841–1914), born in Connecticut and later of New York City, son of Homer and Flora (Skiff) Sackett, was the inventor of drywall (known in the UK as plaster board), which he patented in 1894 as Sackett Board. It is used today to clad walls and ceilings in virtually all new buildings.
In recognition of his invention as a major technological advance, Augustine was inducted in 2017 into the (United States) National Inventors Hall of Fame, the citation recognizing that few modern products have transformed construction as much as drywall.
Augustine served during the American Civil War as an assistant engineer in the Union Navy.
After the war he became a paper collar manufacturer. His subsequent development of paper-clad panels of gypsum proved a more enduring venture, although he probably did not realize just how essential a product it was to become. He described himself rather modestly in the 1900 census as a paper manufacturer, and in 1910 as a manufacturer of linings.
Sales of drywall are now in excess of $3 billion annually.
More… Augustine Sackett at sackettfamily.info