Zadoc Benedict Explained

Zadoc Benedict was an American hat manufacturer who established the first hat factory on Main Street in Danbury, Connecticut in 1780.^{[1] [2]} It had 3 employees, and made 18 hats weekly.^{[3] [4]}

Legend holds that Benedict plugged a hole in his shoe with rabbit fur, and found that over time the fur turned into felt. He then supposedly developed a process of making hats from the fur of locally available animals, like rabbit and beaver.^{[5] [6]}

Notes and References

1. News: Ciccio. Rosa. Moments in History: Danbury. 10 November 2015. Hartford Courant. 2014.
2. Book: Francis. William. History of the Hatting Trade in Danbury, Conn. 1860. H. & L. Osborne. Danbury, Connecticut. 3. zadoc benedict..
3. News: Pirro. John. The rise -- and fall -- of hatting in Danbury. 15 September 2015. Danbury News-Times. 1 Feb 2011.
4. Book: Bailey. James Montgomery. History of Danbury, Conn., 1684-1896. 1896. Burr Print. House.
5. Web site: Varekamp. Johan. 'Mad Hatters' Long Gone, But The Mercury Lingers On. Daily University Science News. 15 September 2015.
6. Web site: THE MANUFACTURING PERIOD IN DANBURY. Danbury Times.