In 1860 German engineer Philip Deidesheimer, inspired by a honeybee's comb, invented square-set timbering— a framing system that used interlocking rectangular timber sets to support the unstable rocks. Filled with waste rock to form support pillars, the finished structure resembled a honeycomb.

Who invented square set timbering?

Babcock, called the well-known, German-born engineer, Phillip Deidesheimer, to help save the mine before a major cave in occurred. In less than six weeks Deidesheimer invented a totally new system of mine timbering called square set.

What is Square set in mining?

: a method of timbering a mine in which heavy timbers are framed together in rectangular sets 6 or 7 feet high and from 4 to 6 feet long so as to fill in as the ore body is removed by overhand stoping.