Apr 11, 2003 18:35
The Irwin-Auger bit was created by a blacksmith but made famous by a pharmacist.
He -- the pharmacist -- bought the rights to the bit in exchange for writing off the $20 alcohol bill of the man who created it and giving him a bottle of whiskey.
The pharmacist established a company that produced the bit and became very, very wealthy.
The blacksmith, presumably, enjoyed his whiskey.