J. L. Perry and Almon Bridgman patented a sander in 1877, which they started selling in 1878 under the Bridgman & Perry name. This sander, "The Boss Wood Polisher," was arranged rather like a traditional planer, but with a drum sander head replacing the planer head, and with the head mounted below the table rather than above. The sander was manufactured by Davis, Pugh & Co.
In 1880 J. L. Perry & Co. (Bridgman having sold out) bought control of Davis, Pugh & Co. In 1883, Perry sold out and the company became known as the Berlin Machine Works. Two ownership changes and less than one year later,Berlin Machine Works was owned by one Porter B. Yates, who ultimately named the company after himself.
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