John Brashear
USA- Early Life and Influences
- Passion for Astronomy and Craftsmanship
- Journey from Machinist to Master Optician
- Innovations and Recognition
- Administrative Roles and Public Service
- Final Years and Legacy
Early Life and Influences
Dr. John Alfred Brashear was born on November 24, 1840, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, to Basil Brown and Julia Smith Brashear. Raised in a family of seven, Brashear's early life was marked by a strong influence from his maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Smith, a clockmaker.
Passion for Astronomy and Craftsmanship
At the age of ten, Brashear's life took a transformative turn when he witnessed his first glimpse of the moon and Saturn through a telescope built by his grandfather. This experience ignited a deep passion for astronomy that would shape his destiny. After completing his formal education at the age of 15, he apprenticed as a machinist and mastered the craft by the age of 20.
Journey from Machinist to Master Optician
Brashear's interest in astronomy continued alongside his work as a machinist at a steel mill in Pittsburgh from 1861 onwards. With his loving wife Phoebe Stewart by his side, he set up a workshop in a small coal shed behind his home and embarked on the creation of his own refracting telescope. His dedication and skill led him to abandon his machinist career in 1880 to focus solely on the fabrication of astronomical instruments and scientific apparatus.
Innovations and Recognition
Brashear's inventions and advancements in optical instruments gained him worldwide acclaim. He patented various devices, but notably withheld his techniques from patenting. He founded the 'John A. Brashear Co.' with his brother-in-law and business partner, James Brown McDowell, a company that eventually became a subsidiary of 'L-3 Communications.' Brashear's precision measuring instruments and optical components were sought after by major observatories around the globe, and some of his creations remain in use today.
Administrative Roles and Public Service
Brashear's contributions extended beyond his inventions. He served as director of the Allegheny Observatory in Pittsburgh from 1898 to 1900, and as chancellor of Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh) from 1901 to 1904. He was a trustee of Carnegie Institute of Technology and president of the Academy of Science and Arts.
Final Years and Legacy
In 1919, Brashear suffered from ptomaine poisoning, which led to a debilitating illness that lasted for six months. He passed away at the age of 80 on April 8, 1920, at his home in Pittsburgh. Brashear's legacy lives on through the craters named after him on the Moon and Mars, the asteroid '5502 Brashear,' and institutions such as the school and street named in his honor in Pittsburgh.
