(1841–1914)
(Src: Anne Murray)
Augustine Sackett (1841–1914) was the inventor of drywall, which he patented in 1894 as Sackett Board. It is used today to clad walls and ceilings in virtually all new buildings.
He has been inducted in 2017 into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which recognizes individual inventors for major technological advances. He is the most recent of just 547 inventors so far honored.
Augustine described himself, rather modestly, in the 1900 census as a paper manufacturer, and in 1910 as a manufacturer of linings—little realizing that his product would come to be installed in 97% of new homes, and become a $3billion a year industry.
Links:
National Inventors Hall of Fame: Augustine Sackett
IPWatchdog: Evolution of Drywall: Augustine Sackett Creates Gypsum Board for Faster Building Construction (scroll down page for Augustine story)
The Sackett Family Association: Augustine Sackett
Thurmon King’s Sackett Database: Augustine Sackett