William Foster Nye
Established 1844
Person TypeInstitution
BiographyIn 1865 Nye returned to New Bedford and set out create lubricating oils for delicate machinery: watches, clocks, chronometers, and later, sewing machines, typewriters, bicycles and electrical instruments. Capitalizing on the work of New Bedford watch maker Ezra Kelley who develped a lubricant made from the oil from the jaw and head of the porpoise and blackfish Nye devleoped his own brand and went into competition with him and proved more successful. Within 10 years, Nye had moved from his small, rented storefront to his own stone factory on Fish Island in New Bedford.
