Robert Henry Thurston

Robert Henry Thurston (October 25, 1839 – October 25, 1903) was an American engineer, and the first professor of mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology.

He was assistant professor at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and a published specialist on iron and steel as well as steam engines, when he was invited in 1871 by Stevens' president Henry Morton to head mechanical engineering at Stevens. The same year Thurston was appointed the first professor of mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Biography Thurston was born 1839 in Providence, Rhode Island, the eldest son of Robert Lawton and Harriet Thurston of Providence. He was trained in the workshop of his father, and graduated from Brown University in 1859.

Thurston was engaged with the business firm of which his father was senior partner until 1861, when he entered the navy as an officer of engineers. He served during the civil war on various vessels, and was present at the Battle of Port Royal and at the Siege of Charleston. He was attached to the North and South Atlantic squadrons until the close of 1865. He died on October 25, 1903, his 64th birthday, in Ithaca, New York.

Work Thurston's research interest was in the areas of materials, thermodynamics, steam engines and boilers, friction and energetics.

Mechanical engineering curriculum At the Stevens Institute of Technology he established Stevens' mechanical engineering curriculum. He was committed to the French and German science-based models of technical education and soon would gain an international reputation for his view of engineering as applied science. His enthusiasm in involving students in funded research led to remarkable pioneering success of the early Stevens' graduates.

Historians credit Thurston with establishing the first US mechanical engineering laboratory for conducting funded research at an academic institution for higher learning.

Other papers Thurston wrote a number of papers embodying accounts of original investigations of the strength and other properties of construction materials. Among his numerous inventions are the magnesium ribbon lamp, a magnesium-burning naval and army signal apparatus, an autographic recording testing machine, a new form of steam engine governor, and an apparatus for determining the value of lubricants.

Thurston pronounced as economically feasible a plan to enable year-round operation of the Erie Canal by the application of artificially generated heat.

Patents Thurston held two patents: one for an autographic recording testing machine for material in torsion and the other for a machine for testing lubricants.

Publications Books, a selection: 1878. A history of the growth of the steam engine. D. Appleton and Company; 4th, revised ed. 1902 (online) 1884. Stationary steam engines; especially as adapted to electric lighting purposes. New York, J. Wiley & sons, 1884. 1884. Materials of Engineering. J. Wiley, 1884, Parts, 1, 2 & 3 1889. The development of the philosophy of the steam-engine. An historical sketch. New York, J. Wiley & sons. 1890. Heat as a form of energy. Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin and company, 1890. 1891. A manual of the steam-engine. For engineers and technical schools; advanced courses. New York, J. Wiley & sons, 1891. 1894. The animal as a machine and a prime motor, and the laws of energetics. New York, J. Wiley & sons.

Some of his more important papers are the following: 1865. On Losses of Propelling Power in the Paddle Wheel 1865. Steam Engines of the French Navy 1870. H. B. M. Iron Clad Monarch 1870. Iron Manufactures in Great Britain 1871. Experimental Steam Boiler Explosions 1871. Report on Test Trials of Steam Boilers 1872. Traction Engines and Road Locomotives 1874. Efficiency of Furnaces Burning Wet Fuel 1874. The Mechanical Engineer, his Preparation and his Work 1877, On a New Method of Planning Researches and of Representing to the Eye the Results of Combination of three or more Elements in Varying Proportions