[1] Tilghman was educated at Bristol College and later at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with a degree in law in 1839, though he never practiced this profession.

With his brother, Richard, he spent much time before the war journeying through Europe, visiting laboratories, chemical works and mills.

Legend has it that Tilghman had seen the effect of wind-blown sand on windows in the desert while a general in the army, and that this was the basis of his sandblasting invention.

[7]), detailing many of the applications for which this technique is uniquely suited, such as sharpening files, engraving bottles, cleaning boilers or bringing out the grain in wood.

Around 1879, Benjamin moved to London forming a new company, Tilghman's Patent Sand Blast Co. at Gray's Inn Road.

In 1879, he opened the gates of his new works in Broadheath, Altrincham, which became the hub of the sand blasting industry in Great Britain.