John Edson Sweet

John Edson Sweet (Pompey, New York, October 21, 1832 – Syracuse, New York, May 8, 1916) was an American mechanical engineer, inventor, professor, businessman and president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 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 Pompey, New York 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 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.

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

Publications

Patents, a selection 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