America 250 Candidate: Portable Electric Drill
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AUTOMATION HISTORY · AMERICA 250 · REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE
Portable Hand-Held Electric Drill
American milestone: 1910s · S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker · Maryland
Status: Replacement candidate. Final number pending chronology audit.
Why it belongs in America 250
Black and Decker developed an influential portable electric drill using a pistol grip and trigger switch, helping turn electric motor power into a practical hand-held industrial tool.
Connection to automation
Portable powered tools increased repeatability and productivity in fabrication, assembly and maintenance and helped establish ergonomic control layouts still common in industrial tools.