Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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

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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

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J. O. Phelon, M.M.E., Professor of Klectrical Rngineerbig. Professor Phelon was born in jira dilated from Worcester Polytech¬ nic Institute in 1887, with the degree of S.B. in Mechanical Engineering, and was appointed after graduating as assistant in physics. In 1890 he received the degree of S.B. in Elec¬ trical Engineering. Having received the appointment as Fellow in Electri¬ cal Engineering, he spent the year 1900-01 at Sibley College, Cornell Fniversity, and received the degree of I r.M.E. from there in June, 1901. When the Electrical Department was formed at Worcester Polytechnic In¬ stitute in 1896, Professor Phelon be¬ came instructor in electricity, receiv¬ ing his appointment as Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering in 1901, and Professor of Electrical Engineering in 1907 Cherry Valley, New York. He was 21