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Mason Vaugh (1894-1978) was a lay missionary who helped develop the Allahabad Agricultural Institute, later known as the Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences. He was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri, Missouri. He served in the US Army during World War II.

Work in India
Mason Vaugh was born on June 27, 1894 in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He graduated at the top of his class from grammar school and high school. In 1919 he was given a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Missouri and in 1928 earned the equivalent of a M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering in 1928. In 1921 he became a lay missionary in India, teaching agricultural engineering at Allahabad Agricultural Institute.

Vaugh utilized traditional Indian materials which he adapted for farmers to use as modern agricultural implements. Among his innovations was the "Shabash," an improved plow consisting of a plowshare, a moldboard, a few bolts and a wood beam. It cost Indians 15 rupees, or $3. Improved implements such as the Shabash made it possible for farmers to plow larger areas than previously possible.

He has often been called the "father of agricultural engineering in India."

Vaugh introduced several other implements, such as hoes, cultivators and the wheat threshers. He was the leader of the Agricultural Development Society (ADS), established in Naini to manufacture and sell improved implements developed by ADS and the Institute. He retired in 1957 and returned to the United States.

In his honor Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE) established the Mason Vaugh Agricultural Engineering Pioneer Award. Prof. Ralph C. Hay was the first recipient of this award for his contribution in establishing agricultural engineering programs at IIT Kharagpur (1954–56) and Pantnagar University (1962–64).