Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 17 text:

every evening from the time of getting home from the rolling mill, till away into the small hours of the morning, the glass broke in the process of silvering. The bitter discouragement of that night Mr. Brashear will never forget, it was one of the greatest disappointments he ever experienced. But the experience gained front that defeat served him wonderfully, for in less than three months he had reproduced his mirror lense. The work given him by Langley and others, who had heard of his accomplishments, made such a demand upon his time, that he began contemplating withdrawing from rolling mill work, and make a business of the manufacture of optical instruments. It was a grave question that faced him. With his rolling mill practice he had a steady income, while the astronomical business was a doubtful and untried field. A trial advertisement, calling the attention of amateur astronomers to his goods, brought such good results that lie determined to risk the venture. William Thaw became interested in his work, and made an offer to set him up in business in a suitable shop, which kind proposition Mr. Brashear accepted. So began his wonderful career as a manufacturer of optical instruments. It is only when one begins to understand the nature and requirements of such work that one really appreciates it. The precision, the delicacy, the minuteness of the work, requires, a patience and skill of no ordinary character. To-day Mr. Brashear is known the world over for his astronomical discoveries, and his ability as a manufacturer of optical goods; and yet for all ibis fame, to his friends, lie is the same modest, unassuming John Brashear of the rolling mill renown. He has always been associated with educational interests and as a member of our own building committee, he has served Tech faithfully and well, and has secured for us many of the advantages we now possess. His chief desire is that young men may get an education without encountering all the vicissitudes and privations that he so continuously. yet so successfully, met. It would be but idle of me to attempt to honor Or. Brashear with words. The world has done it so much better, so much more effectively than ever could I. Like all truly great lives it speaks for itself, and conveys in its own subtle way the force, the purpose, the determination, the bigness, of his character, and presents a life that should be a stimulus to every man, in as much as it shows that a great life of usefulness, is not for the favored elect, but for him who will earnestly strive to achieve it. 11 W. G.