During the 19th Century, the machining industries saw rapid evolution that included the development of taps and tapping tools. And, during that era, the practice of buying ready made tools began to grow. An early seller of taps and dies was Joseph clement, an engineer and industrialist who is best known for making Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine. Although he sold products that were likely to be quite different from the tap adapters companies use today, that was an important time for the machining industry. It lead to the more widespread use and increased quality of tap adapters and other products that make machining more accurate, efficient, and consistent.