James CochranDied 31 Dec 1846 (born 1763).American inventor of the manufacture of cut nails. Cut nails are triangular in shape, made from cutting across bar stock at a slight angle. While Cochran was a brass-founder in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin frequently visited his shop. Cochran also claimed to have made the first copper cents in the U.S. After settling in Genesee County, NY., in 1802, as one of the county's first pioneers, he set up a bell foundry business on Bank Street (thence referred to as “Dingle Alley”after Cochran's constant bell testing). He also cast brass newels for staircases and window springs with rollers.« |
