Who invented the vacuum pan processing machine for granulating sugar?

While the exact inventor of the vacuum pan processing machine for granulating sugar is hard to pinpoint, the development and refinement of the technology was a gradual process involving many individuals and companies.

Here's a breakdown of key contributors:

* Early precursors: The concept of using a vacuum to lower boiling point for sugar processing existed before the specific "vacuum pan" design.

* Early 19th century: Several inventors, including Robert L. Wilson and Charles Derosne in the 1820s, developed early designs for vacuum pans using steam for heating.

* Mid 19th century: Martinus van der Weyden in 1848 developed a more efficient vacuum pan using a steam jacket for better heat transfer.

* Late 19th and early 20th century: Many companies, such as Mirrlees Watson, Robert Jenkins, and The Mirrlees Watson Co. Ltd., further refined the design and manufacturing process, leading to the sophisticated vacuum pans used today.

Therefore, it's impossible to attribute the invention to a single person. The vacuum pan's development was a collaborative effort across multiple generations of engineers and manufacturers.