The first TBM that tunneled a substantial distance was invented in 1863 and improved in 1875 by British Army officer Major Frederick Edward Blackett Beaumont (1833-1895); Beaumont's machine was further improved in 1880 by British Army officer Major Thomas English (1843-1935).[REF][REF][REF][REF]
A TBM with a bore diameter of was manufactured by The Robbins Company for Canada's Niagara Tunnel Project.