Item 19451info Maine Granite Industry Historical Society
The most revolutionary change in the quarrying industry was the arrival of the McMullen company. This company produced steam power that allowed powered tools to be run by compressed air which made it faster and easier. The downside to the steam power was in the winter no water meant no power so the quarry had to shut down. Also the work of ten men could now be done by one so many were thrown out of work. It was the use of power tools that created the dust that caused silicasis. The final advance in the quarrying industry was electricity. The compressors could now be run by on electricity instead of coal. The quarry could now run year round because it didn't require water to run and with the length of Maine?s winter this was a major advancement.
