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Genry BessemerEnglish inventor. The author of the converter method of converting cast iron into steel, the so-called. Bessemer process. In 1879 he was knighted by the Queen (received nobility)
Date of Birth: 19.01.1813
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Henry Bessemer
Henry Bessemer was an English inventor born on January 19, 1813, in Charlton, Hertfordshire. His father, a typefounder, had a significant influence on him from an early age as he invented numerous mechanical devices. This sparked Henry's interest in mechanics and metallurgy. Although there is no evidence of him receiving formal education, Bessemer went on to patent over a hundred inventions in various technical fields, ranging from bronze powder production for typography to equipment for sugar factories, centrifugal pumps, and large telescopes.
Invention of the Bessemer Process
Bessemer's most significant invention was the development of a method to produce steel without the need for additional heating. In 1856, he achieved this by blowing air through molten pig iron in a pear-shaped vessel called the Bessemer converter. He initially pursued this method to improve the quality of steel for artillery barrels. However, his initial attempts were unsuccessful as he struggled to find the right converter design and used poor-quality iron from South Wales. It was only after four years, in 1860, when he invented a rotating converter with air blown through the bottom, that the Bessemer process gained wide acceptance in England and beyond.
Recognition and Legacy
Bessemer received numerous honorary awards, including the Austrian Order of Franz Joseph and a medal from Napoleon III. In 1879, he was elected as a member of the Royal Society in London and was knighted. He was one of the founders of the British Iron and Steel Institute and established the Bessemer Gold Medal in 1873, which recognized outstanding contributions to the production of ferrous metals. In his later years, Bessemer focused on designing reflector telescopes. He passed away in London on March 15, 1898.
Overall, Henry Bessemer's pioneering work in the field of steel production revolutionized the industry and had a lasting impact on the advancement of metallurgy. His inventions and contributions cemented his place as one of the great inventors of the 19th century.
