A carriage maker, Henry Timken researched a way to reduce friction in carriage axles. As a result Timpken invented the Timken tapered roller bearing. The new tapered roller bearings worked with both radial and thrust loads and immediately found a place in the axles and hubs of both horse carriages and automobiles.

Henry Timken applied for two patents, both were issued on June 28, 1898. In 1899, he formed a company in St. Louis, The Timken Roller Bearing Axle Company, to manufacture axles equipped with his bearings. Today you'll find Timken tapered roller bearings in everything from aircraft and spacecraft to printing presses and cars."

Henry Timken
Henry Timken was the inventor of the Timken or tapered roller bearings - National Inventors Hall of Fame.