William Dana Ewart (April 24, 1851 – May 3, 1908) invented and patented the linked belt, a square detachable link for chain belts, on September 1, 1874. The metal chain "linked belt" replaced the leather and strap belts used on agricultural equipment at the time.
Ewart was inducted into the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Hall of Fame[1] in 1996 at CONEXPO-CONAGG.