In 1852, the firm of Steele, Burridge & Stannard made metal planers. The titular Burridge was Thomas H. Burridge, who was granted an 1850 planing-machine patent. The titular Steele was likely Henry Steele, who was in business under the name Henry Steele & Co. in 1853, making metal planers and lathes. By the end of 1853, and into 1854, the firm of Steele & Stannard was making heavy machinery for working iron, including lathes, planers, and drill presses.

Information Sources

• The 1853 edition of Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York lists the premiums awarded at the 1852 Fair of the American Institute, including "Steele, Burridge & Stannard, Jersey City, for a planing machine for iron, diploma."
• The 1854 book, Science and Mechanism: Illustrated by Examples in the New York Exhibition, 1853-4, edited by Charles Rush Goodrich, lists "STEELE, HENRY & Co., Jersey City, New Jersey—Manufacturers. Planing machine and lathe."
• The 1853-10-08 issue of Scientific American has an article on the exhibition at the Crystal Palace then underway. In the section on "Machinery used in the manufacture of iron" is the following.

  Henry Steele & Co., of Jersey City, exhibit a machine lathe beautifully finished, amid having a compound rest, by means of which the tool can be more conveniently changed to any required position. A convenient and well-constructed lathe.

• The 1853-12-03 issue of Scientific American has two advertisements from Steele & Stannard.

  MACHINIST'S TOOLS—STEELE & STANNARD, Jersey City, N. J., have on hand, and are building constantly, Lathes, Planing Machines, Drillers, and other Tools, of a superior character; double gear heavy Drilling Machines, to take in 48 inches in diameter; general character of Tools extra heavy.

  FOREMAN WANTED—A thorough machinist is wanted to take charge of a shop now extensively engaged in tool building. Liberal wages, and permanency, to a competent person with good recommendation. STEELE & STANNARD, Steuben street, Jersey City, N. J.

  The first ad also appeared in the 1854-03-04 issue and in other issues in between.