John Fritz
John Fritz | |
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| Born | John F. Fritz August 21, 1822 |
| Died | February 13, 1913(aged 90) |
| Awards | John Fritz Gold Medal Bessemer Gold Medal Elliott Cresson Gold Medal |
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John F. Fritz(August 21, 1822 – February 13, 1913) was an American pioneer of iron and steel technology[1][2]who has been referred to as the "Father of the U.S. Steel Industry".[2]To celebrate his 80th birthday theJohn Fritz Medalwas established in 1902, with Fritz himself being the first recipient.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]
Fritz was born August 21, 1822, inLondonderry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania,the eldest of seven children of George Fritz and Mary Meharg.[3][4]He was ofGermanandScotch-Irishdescent.[5]
Career
[edit]At the age of 16, Fritz was awarded an apprentiship as ablacksmith.[2][6]He progressed to become a mechanic, working for the Norristown Iron Company. In 1854, he moved to theCambria Iron Company,where he designed the first three-high rolling mill, a notable achievement.[2][4]In 1860 he became General Superintendent and Chief Engineer of theBethlehem Iron WorksinBethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1][2][4]While there he was responsible for installing aBessemer Converterand various developments in the company, staying until 1892, when he was 70.[4]
Fritz was president of theAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers,president of theAmerican Institute of Mining Engineers,honorary vice president for life of theIron and Steel InstituteofLondon,member of theAmerican Society of Civil Engineers,honorary member of theAmerican Iron and Steel Institute,and recipient of theBessemer Gold Medal,theElliott Cresson Gold Medal,and the John Fritz Gold Medal of the United Engineering Societies.[7]He was awarded honorary degrees fromColumbia University,theUniversity of Pennsylvania,Temple Universityand theStevens Institute of Technology.[7]
Death
[edit]Fritz died at his home inBethlehemon February 13, 1913, at age 90[8]
Selected publications
[edit]- John Fritz,The Autobiography of John Fritz(New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1912). Available online throughBeyond Steel: An Archive of Lehigh Valley Industry and Culture.
- About John Fritz
- Lance Metz,John Fritz: His Role in the Development of the American Iron and Steel Industry and His Legacy to the Bethlehem Community(Easton, PA: Center for Canal History and Technology, 1987).
References
[edit]- ^abexplorepahistoryJohn F. Fritz [engineer]
- ^abcdefSandra E. Duffy (2012)Fritz Lab: Not Just for ChicksArchived2014-10-18 at theWayback MachinefromPennsylvania State University
- ^Fritz, John (1912)The Autobiography of John Fritz(Wiley) New York
- ^abcdStudents of Prof. Tatu (2013)Steel and the Lehigh ValleyArchived2018-06-30 at theWayback MachinefromLafayette College
- ^[1]"There was no reason to think there was anything extraordinary about the boy born to George Fritz and Mary Meharg on Aug. 21, 1822. Little Johannes Fritzius, named after his German grandfather, soon found that there was plenty to do on his family's farm in rural Chester County. Under the stern but loving eye of their Scotch-Irish mother, John Fritz and his six brothers and sisters grew to maturity."
- ^Journal of the Franklin Institute Volume 171, Issue 1, January 1911, Pages 97–98 Elliott Cresson Medal Awards: John Fritz, Esq.
- ^abAppended documents toThe Autobiography of John Fritz
- ^"John Fritz, 90, Died Today".The Boston Globe.Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. February 13, 1913. p. 2.RetrievedJuly 20,2020.
External links
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- "Finding Aid to The Autobiography of John Fritz, Holographic Manuscript",Special Collections, Linderman Library,Lehigh University
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1822 births
- 1913 deaths
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- American blacksmiths
- American people of Scotch-Irish descent
- American steel industry businesspeople
- American metallurgists
- American people of German descent
- Bessemer Gold Medal
- Bethlehem Steel people
- Engineers from Pennsylvania
- John Fritz Medal recipients
- People from Chester County, Pennsylvania