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Introduction on the History of Micrometer:
The micrometer is one of the most important precision measuring instruments ever created. From early mechanical workshops to today’s advanced manufacturing facilities, the micrometer has played a critical role in ensuring dimensional accuracy, quality control, and engineering consistency.
Today, micrometers are widely used across industries such as aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, medical device manufacturing, precision machining, and electronics. But the origins of this essential measuring tool date back several centuries. Here we will explore and show key dates and events on the history of micrometers.
History of Micrometer Timeline:
Year | Micrometers | Industry and Machine Tools |
BC Period | c.200Bc: Screw thread invented. | c.300BC: Oldest turning machine found in Egypt. |
Before 1600 | 15th Century: Leonardo da Vinci proposed lathe. 16th Century: Gear-cutting machine developed. | |
17th Century | 1639: W.Gascoigne invented a micrometer caliper comprising of jaws and scale. | 1638: W.Gascoigne utilised screw threads to observe stars. The first recorded application of screw threads. |
18th Century | 1772: J.Watt invented the table-top micrometer.
| 1713: J.Maritz invented the vertical boring machine. 1763: Petherwood invented a special turning machine to cut threads on cylinder surfaces. 1765: J.Watt granted a patent for the steam engine. 1775: J.Wilkinson invented a boring machine to cut internal cylinders, contributing to increased power of steam engines. |
19th Century | 1805:H.Maudlay invented the table-top micrometer called ‘Lord Chancellor’.
1848:J.Palmer received a patent for his micrometer called ‘Palmer System’ in France. 1855:J.Whitworth invented a horizontal calibration machine and made it available for sale. 1868: Brown & Sharpe invented pocket-sized micrometers for measuring plate thicknesses.
1877:Victor Machine placed an ad for their micrometer in the inaugural issue of American Machinist.
| c.1800: H.Maudslay, the father of machine tools, invented reciprocating gear-cut lathe. 1827: E.Whitney incented the horizontal milling machine. 1830: B.Thimonnier invented the sewing machine. 1838: R.Buchanan invented the radial boring machine. 1876: N.Otto invented the combustion engine. |
20th Century | 1920~1935: Several Japanese manufacturers start producing micrometers. 1938:Mitutoyo starts producing Micrometers. 1947: Mitutoyo restarts producing micrometers after WWII. 1953: Mitutoyo produces the 3 meter outside micrometer, the largest in the world. 1969: Mitutoyo started producing 3-pointed inside micrometers. 1979: First digital Micrometer in Japan introduced by Mitutoyo.
| 1903: Wright brothers succeeded in their first flight. 1907: H. Ford introduced the model T, the first car to be mass-produced. 1941: US suspends export of machines to Japan. 1952: MIT produced first NC milling machine. 1956: Fanuc produced the NC turret punch press machine, the first in Japan. 1958: US Kerney Trecker produced first machining center. 1982: Japanese machine tools are recorded as the largest in terms of value in the world. |
21st Century | 2003: Mitutoyo introduced its first coolant-proof micrometer. 2004:Mitutoyo introduced its improved ratchet-thimble micrometer.
| 2001: Kyoto Protocol to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases completed. 2006: Japanese Machine tool industry achieved the largest annual sales worth $14.3 billion, exceeding 1990 records. |
Information taken from Mitutoyo A Brief History of Micrometers
Conclusion on the History of Micrometer:
The history of the micrometer reflects the evolution of precision engineering itself. From early scientific experiments in the 17th century to today’s digital manufacturing systems, the micrometer has remained a cornerstone of accurate measurement.
Even today Mitutoyo is pioneering new innovations such as the the U-Wave technology for wireless capturing of measurements! As well as the QuantuMike which features a unique 2 mm per revolution spindle, enabling operators to measure up to four times faster than conventional micrometers which recently won the IF design award!
Its continued importance across machining, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and industrial manufacturing proves that precision measurement will always be essential to quality production. As manufacturing tolerances continue to tighten, the micrometer remains one of the most reliable and valuable tools in modern metrology.
Can refer also to our 6 Best Mitutoyo Micrometer Guide here to see the latest models!
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