Implementation of Interchangeable Parts

In 1802 or 1803, Terry purchased a mill to produce wooden clock wheels, which still required hand finishing by skilled journeymen clockmakers. He was among Connecticut clockmakers who substituted water-powered machines for apprentices in producing rough-cut wheels. He later created jigs and fixtures to produce a large number of interchangeable clock parts, and envisioned clocks made from machine-made parts ready to go into clocks without additional hand cutting.