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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1998)
A • « AïîHvn A» » ®©b«°ruernh B LA C K • < •,- p ïV ,Td>.'.. '.-iv H IS T O R Y M O N T H 1 9 9 8 !%#!• February 11,1998 C2 The Black Engineer W ho Made Skyscrapers A Livable Domain B y P rof . M ckinley B urt Today we honor the brilliant African American innovator. Dr. David Crosthwait (1891-1976). A man whose innovative genius lit erally changed the skylines of all the major cities of the world. No human occupancy would be fea sible above a half-dozen floors without his pioneering inventions in ‘thermodynamics’ (heat trans fer) that made it possible to de liver hot water, air conditioning and plumbing to unbelievable heights in the sky. As is too often the case, 1 only became aware of this blackman’s contribution to the world’s sci ence, technology and comfort (34 U.S. Patents and 80-foreign) when idly leafing through a related in dustry manual in the PSU library. The Dunham Manufacturing Company of Chicago, 111 had proudly devoted six pages of their monthly publication to the accom plishments of their “Chief Re search Engineer.” Breaking all racial precedent, there appeared the picture of a very ebony-hued Dr. Crosthwaite, “ 191 3 graduate of Purdue Univer sity, Mechanical Engineering.” Fascinated by these revelations and eager to add an account of his marvelous contributions to my next book on “Black Inventors of America”, I immediately got in touch with both the Dunham Mfg. Co. and Purdue University (1974), being led to further information on Crosthwait’s career and even tually to telephone contact with the great man himself. His installations ranged from the Rockefeller Center to the Empire State Building and far be yond. See copy of letter here from the Dean of Purdue School of Technology to the President of the University. As you will be made aware here by this description of his indus- try -sh ap in g in v en tio n s, Dr. Crothwait’s electric career paral lels that of the famous black elec trical e n g in eer, H ow ard E. Latimer, mem ber o f the “ Edison P io n e e rs.” Both men wrote the accepted codes and m anuals for the instal lation and op eration of their in v e n tio n s around the w o r l d ; Am erica, Eu rope and Asia. Think about that the next time you turn on the lights or air condition ing or take a shower on the 80th floor of a high rise! D r C r o s t h w a i t was an unbe lievably mod est man, easy to talk to; “All men of accomplishment stand on the shoulders of those who came be fore them.” Here he made reference to Norman Rillieuk, the black engi neer in thermodynamics who in vented the 'Sugar Refiner: He said I learned so much from studying his works and ideas “(The U.S. Forest Service de scribed the Sugar Refiner as the greatest invention in the history of chemical engineering, and I found it to be true”). Unfortunately, Dr. Croshwait died before he could come to Oregon to speak to my class and others as he promised me. But I have sought to let the many know of his genius and his dedication to moti-’ vating our youth to follow in his foot steps. Purdue University School Of Technol ogy West Lafayette, In diana 47907 October 3 1, 1974 Dr. Arthur G. Hansen President Purdue University Dear President Hansen: It is a distinct pleasure to nomi nate Mr. David N. Crosthwait, Jr. for an honorary doctor’s degree. Mr. Crosthwait received the B.S. in M echanical Engineering in 1913 and also the professional De gree of “Mechanical Engineer” for Purdue University. After graduation he was active in connection with the design, in stallation, testing, balancing and servicing of power plants, heat ing and ventilating systems. He has also returned to Purdue each summer tor a number ot years io teach in our United Associa tion Instructor Training Program. He was a Research Engineer and subsequently director of the Re search Laboratory of the C.A. Dunham Company where, he de voted his time to the development ot methods ot improving product quality He also worked on methods of heat transfer, heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment as well as pumps and temperature control equipment. This work led to Mr. Crosthwait being granted 34 U.S. patents and 80 foreign patents The Variable Vacuum system he invented and developed was installed in Rockefeller Center, Stuyvesant Town and other large buildings throughout the world. He has made many contribu tions to trade and technical publi cations. He holds membership in a num ber of national societies and orga nizations and is a registered Pro fessional Engineer in Iowa, Illi nois and Indiana. He is past president and former member of the Urban Renewal Commission of Michigan City. On the basis of his long rela tionship with Purdue University and for his contribution to the field of technology, I support the Faculty of the Department of M anufacturing Technology in their recommendation that David N. Crosthwait, Jr. be awarded Purdue University’s highest hon orary degree. Sincerely yours, George W.. McNelly, Dean School of Technology McMenamins Kennedy School is a proud participant of Black History Month, with the recent west coast premiere of “Through the Open Door” the opening movie of The Cascade Festival of African Films. The Portland Development Commission and its staff would like to salute the contributions that Sleep In Class Black Americans A great introduction to McMenamins Kennedy School is the have made to this great nation of ours. Schoolyard Package. Included in this special offer are a night’s lodging for two, dinner and breakfast in the Courtyard Restaurant, and admission to the movie theater and soaking pool. The cost of the Schoolyard Package is $99 per night, per couple, Sunday through Thursday (add 9% county room tax). Based on availability. Call (503) 249-3983 for reservations. & Upcoming Events j Whiskies of the World Dinner • March 6 • 7:00 • $60 Brewer Dinner • March 11 • 7:00 • $30 Thursday Night Concerts The Portland Development Commission works to bring together community resources to achieve a vital economy with healthy neighborhoods and quality jobs for all citizens. The Commission is committed to working with the community to make our city a better place to live for all Portlanders. PDC PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION All music shows from 7:00 -10:00 pm • Kennedy School Gymnasium • No Cover Matchbox Blues • February 12 Groove Revelation • February 19 Jive Talking Robots • February 26 Jane Doe • March 11 McMenamins Kennedy School 5736 NE 33rd • Portland, Oregon • (503) 249-3983 www.mcmenamin8.com
