Some 200 years ago, Elisha Root joined the Collins Co., one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of axes.
He studied the practices at the Collinsville plant and came up with a better way. His disruptive technology die casting would change the face of manufacturing forever.
By mid-century, he moved to Hartford and turned his attention to mass-producing the Colt revolver. But that’s a story for another day.
The New York developer who proposed an elaborate renovation of Canton’s historic Collins Co. ax factory complex is no longer pursuing the project, but the town is working with other prospective builders on similar plans.