Julian Kennedy

Julian Kennedy (March 15, 1852 - May 28, 1932) was an American engineer and inventor, known for his national and international contributions to the steel industry. He was awarded the ASME Medal in 1928.

Biography Kennedy was born in Poland in 1852, the eldest of the seven sons of Thomas Walker Kennedy and Margaret (Trusdale) Kennedy. His father was a prominent constructive engineer, inventor, designer and builder of blast furnaces. Afterwards he moved to the Carnegie Brothers and Company at Homestead, later Carnegie Brothers and Company, where he was General superintendent from 1885 to 1888.

For another two years he was chief engineer at Latrobe Steel Works in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, before settling as independent consulting engineer in 1890 in Pittsburgh. He consulted many of the major steel plants in the United States and Europe. As a steel consultant, Kennedy helped launch the Russian steel industry with the construction of the Nikopul' Providence Steel Mill in 1896. In 1907, Kennedy built the first Indian steel mill for Tata industries, which at the time, became the largest steel mill in the world, earning him the nickname, "Father of Asian Steel." As such, Kennedy was a major figure in the growth and success of steel in four of the World's top ten producers: India, USA, Russia, and Ukraine.

In 1904, Kennedy served as the president of the Pennsylvania women's suffrage group, the Allegheny County Equal Rights Association (ACERA).

Personal life Kennedy married Jennie E. Breneman in 1878 and the couple had several children who were popular in social circles in Pittsburgh. Jennie Kennedy was a clubwoman and a prominent suffragist in the Pittsburgh area.

Julian Kennedy died from a heart attack at his home in Pittsburgh on May 28, 1932. He was buried at Homewood Cemetery.

Publications Julian Kennedy, "Some modifications in Blast Furnace Construction." Proceedings of the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania XXIII, Engineers Society, 1908. p. 3-15

Publications about Julian Kennedy Templeton Smith. Engineer Pittsburgh: The Story of Julian Kennedy, Engineer : His Helpmate Jane Eliza Brenneman and His Kennedy and Truesdale Ancestors in America. 1996.

Patents, a selection Patent US244997 - Hot Blast Stove, 1881. Patent US593476 - Furnace-valve for hot-blast stoves, 1896 Patent US581165 - Mechanism for operating shears, 1897 Patent US760873 - Hot-blast valve, 1904. Patent US1178522 - Charging-bell for blast-furnaces, 1916