Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

Page 27 text:

A. Wilmer Duff, M.A., D.Sc. (Eclin. ), Professo? ' of Physics, Professor Duff is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick and, after four years of study, obtained tlie degree of iMaster of Arts from the T niversity of Edinburgh and later the degree of Doctor of Science from the same university. He then spent a year at the University of Berlin, and in the year 1889 became substitute Professor of Physics at the Univer- sity of IMadras. After a year in this position, he accepted a similar y)osi- tion in the University of New Bruns¬ wick and remained there until 1893, when he was called to occupy the chair of Professor of Physics at Pur¬ due. In 1899 he came to Tech as the head of the Department of Physics, and has filled that position up to the present time. Dr. Duff is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science, of the Indiana Academy of Science, of the American Physical Society, etc. William W. Bird, S.B., Pjvfessor of Mechanical Enyineef ' ing. Professor Bird is an alumnus of the Institute, graduating in the Class of 1887. He remained three years as instructor and student under Professor Alden, but in 1890 left the Institute to carry on his father’s foundry business as trustee. From 1894 to 1896 he was Assistant Pro¬ fessor of Mechanical Engineering during the erection and equipment of the IMechanical Engineering Labora¬ tory. the Power House, and the Hy¬ draulic Testing Plant. In 1896 he became President and Treasurer of the newly incorporated Broadway Foundry Co. in Cambridge, and in 1900 l)ecame an alderman of the city of Caml)ridge, wliich posi¬ tions he held until he returned to the Institute as head of the department and director of the AVashl)urn Shops, the position he has held during our course. Professor Bird is a member of the American Society of Meehan- « ieal Engineers. 19

Page 26 text:

Arthur W. French, C.E., Professor of Civil pJi hieermg. Professor Frendi was graduated from the Tliayer School of Civil Eno-iiieering ' , Dartmouth College, in 1892. He held positions with the Tower Brothers, Holyoke, i Iass., the Platte River Paper Company, and the Denver Gnlf Railroad, in which positions he gained valuable expe¬ rience in design and construction. After serving for a time as Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at his Alma j Iater, he came to the Worces¬ ter PoBdechnic Institute in 1899 as t Professor of Civil Engineering. Since coming to Tech his summer work has embraced several important construc¬ tion undertakings. Well versed in theoretical engineering science, and possessed of the instinct for putting things straight for the student, yet at the same time a capable designing and field engineer. Professor French is held in great esteem by the men whose work comes under his direction. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Edu¬ cation, and is Chairman of the Commission on the Congestion of Streets (Worcester), where his work means much for the future of the city. 18

Page 28 text:

Alton L. Smith, M.S., Professor of Drawing and Machine Design. I rofessor Smith is a graduate of the Institute in the Class of 1890, having entered after receiving con¬ siderable experience in the machine shop of J. Duckworth Company in Springfield. Upon graduation he be¬ came instructor in the Department of Drawing. In 1899 he received the degree of iMaster of Science, in 1900 became Assistant Professor of Ma¬ chine Design, and in 1906 received the title of Professor of Drawing and Ma¬ chine Design, and became the head of the Drawing Department. In connec¬ tion with the work in the department he has prepared several articles on sketching and lettering which are used as a text to supplement the work in that subject. Professor Smith is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Societv for the Promotion of Engi- neering Education. Charles M. Allen, M.S., Professor of pjXperwmital Mechanical Engineering. Professor Allen is a graduate of the Institute in the Class of 1894, and upon graduating returned as an instructor in the Mechanical De¬ partment. The degree of Master of Science was conferred upon him in 1900. In 1902 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Experimental IMechanical Engineering, and later the title of full professor in the same line was conferred. Professor Allen has complete charge of the IMechanical Lal)oratories and all experimental work in the department, and also has charge of all of the hydraulic work. Outside of the Institute Professor Allen is known by his reputation as a hydraulic engineer, his specialty being the testing of water-wheels in the field, lie is a member of the American Society of Mechanical En¬ gineers, the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education and an associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 20