The first steps toward what would be called the "American System" were made at the Springfield Armory. By 1825 Thomas Blanchard had developed a gun stock turning lathe that was in operation there. In addition, musket contractor Simeon North developed a milling machine for cutting metal parts in 1816 in his Connecticut shop. John Hall would later take up North's development when creating his rifle works at the Harper's Ferry Armory. Jigs, fixtures, pattern pieces and gauges replaced the handicraft work of the armory artisans as armory work became more industrialized and brought under stricter management discipline. Stringent quality controls and inspections were put in place and workmen whose weapons were found to have defects had their pay docked.

Background essay on Water Power