John Edson Sweet (

Pompey, New York Pompey is a town in the southeast part of Onondaga County, New York. The population was 7,080 at the time of the 2010 census. The town was named after the Roman general and political leader Pompey by a late 18th-century clerk interested in the Clas ...

, October 21, 1832 –

Syracuse, New York Syracuse ( ) is a City (New York), city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, Onondaga County, New York, United States. It is the fifth-most populous city in the state of New York following New York City, Buffalo, New York, Buffa ...

, May 8, 1916) was an American mechanical engineer, inventor, professor, businessman and president of the

American Society of Mechanical Engineers The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing ...

from 1884-1885. He is known for building the first micrometer caliper in 1873, for making tools, and for inventing the “straight line” engine.

Biography

Born in

in 1832, Sweet got only some schooling at the district school. He started working young as a farm hand, became a carpenter's apprentice, and settled as architect and builder in the South. At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 he returned to the North. From 1862 to 1864 Sweet worked as mechanical draftsman in England, and upon his return to the States was engaged in bridge building and invented several things. At the

Paris Exhibition of 1867 The International Exposition of 1867 (french: Exposition universelle 'art et d'industriede 1867), was the second world's fair to be held in Paris, from 1 April to 3 November 1867. A number of nations were represented at the fair. Following a dec ...

he introduced a linotype machine. From 1873 to 1878 he was professor of practical mechanics at the Sibley College of Mechanic Arts of Cornell University, which he also headed. Afterwards he was founding president of straight line engine works. At the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 he was expert for the government, and one of the jurors on machine tools. John Edson Sweet (1832-1916)

In 1880 Sweet was a key founder of the

(ASME), and its third president in the year 1884–1885. In 1914 the ASME awarded him the John Fritz Medal "for his achievements in machine design, and for his pioneer work in applying sound engineering principles to the construction and development of the high-speed steam engine." In 1914 he also received the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering from

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

. In 1894, Sweet admitted that his relatives had carved the Pompey stone as a hoax.

Publications

* * ;Patents, a selectionFor more patents, see
here
' *
Patent US 121261, Improvement in the manufacture of guards for harvesting-machines
'' 1871 *
Patent US 261967, tool post for lathe
'' 1881 *
Patent US 532296, steam and water separator
'' 1884-85 *
Patent US 624575, Steam-separator
'' 1896-98 *
Patent US 682507, Changeable-speed gearing
'' 1899-1901

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet, John Edson 1832 births 1916 deaths American mechanical engineers Presidents of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers John Fritz Medal recipients

Biography

Publications

References

Further reading

External links