John F. Fritz (August 21, 1822 – February 13, 1913) was an American pioneer of iron and steel technology[1][2] who has been referred to as the "Father of the U.S. Steel Industry".[2] To celebrate his 80th birthday the John Fritz Medal was established in 1902, with Fritz himself being the first recipient.[2]
He progressed to become a mechanic, working for the Norristown Iron Company, and in 1854 moved to the Cambria Iron Company, where he designed the first three-high rolling mill, a notable achievement.[2][4] In 1860 he became General Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the Bethlehem Iron Works in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1][2][4] While there he was responsible for installing a Bessemer Converter and various developments in the company, staying until 1892, when he was 70.[4]
He died at his home in Bethlehem on February 13, 1913 at age 90 [8]
Selected publications
John Fritz, The Autobiography of John Fritz (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1912). Available online through Beyond Steel: An Archive of Lehigh Valley Industry and Culture.
About John Fritz
Lance Metz, John Fritz: His Role in the Development of the American Iron and Steel Industry and His Legacy to the Bethlehem Community (Easton, PA: Center for Canal History and Technology, 1987).
^Journal of the Franklin Institute Volume 171, Issue 1, January 1911, Pages 97–98 Elliott Cresson Medal Awards: John Fritz, Esq.
^[1] "There was no reason to think there was anything extraordinary about the boy born to George Fritz and Mary Meharg on Aug. 21, 1822. Little Johannes Fritzius, named after his German grandfather, soon found that there was plenty to do on his family's farm in rural Chester County. Under the stern but loving eye of their Scotch-Irish mother, John Fritz and his six brothers and sisters grew to maturity."
^ abAppended documents to The Autobiography of John Fritz
^"John Fritz, 90, Died Today". The Boston Globe. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. February 13, 1913. p. 2. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
External links
Media related to John Fritz at Wikimedia Commons
Finding Aid to The Autobiography of John Fritz, Holographic Manuscript, Special Collections, Linderman Library, Lehigh University
January 07, 2023
john, fritz, john, fritz, august, 1822, february, 1913, american, pioneer, iron, steel, technology, been, referred, father, steel, industry, celebrate, 80th, birthday, medal, established, 1902, with, fritz, himself, being, first, recipient, bornjohn, fritz, 18. John F Fritz August 21 1822 February 13 1913 was an American pioneer of iron and steel technology 1 2 who has been referred to as the Father of the U S Steel Industry 2 To celebrate his 80th birthday the John Fritz Medal was established in 1902 with Fritz himself being the first recipient 2 John FritzBornJohn F Fritz 1822 08 21 August 21 1822Chester Pennsylvania U S DiedFebruary 13 1913 1913 02 13 aged 90 Bethlehem Pennsylvania U S AwardsJohn Fritz Gold MedalBessemer Gold MedalElliott Cresson Gold MedalSignature Contents 1 Life 2 Selected publications 3 References 4 External linksLife Edit John Fritz Gold Medal 1921 Fritz was born August 21 1822 in Londonderry Township Chester County Pennsylvania the eldest of seven children of George Fritz 1792 and Mary Meharg 1799 3 4 and at the age of 16 he was apprenticed as a blacksmith 2 5 He was of both German and Scotch Irish descent 6 He progressed to become a mechanic working for the Norristown Iron Company and in 1854 moved to the Cambria Iron Company where he designed the first three high rolling mill a notable achievement 2 4 In 1860 he became General Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the Bethlehem Iron Works in Bethlehem Pennsylvania 1 2 4 While there he was responsible for installing a Bessemer Converter and various developments in the company staying until 1892 when he was 70 4 Fritz was President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers President of the American Institute of Mining Engineers Honorary Vice President for life of the Iron and Steel Institute of London member of the American Society of Civil Engineers Honorary member of the American Iron and Steel Institute and recipient of the Bessemer Gold Medal the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal and the John Fritz Gold Medal of the United Engineering Societies 7 He was awarded honorary degrees from Columbia University the University of Pennsylvania Temple University and the Stevens Institute of Technology 7 He died at his home in Bethlehem on February 13 1913 at age 90 8 Selected publications EditJohn Fritz The Autobiography of John Fritz New York John Wiley amp Sons 1912 Available online through Beyond Steel An Archive of Lehigh Valley Industry and Culture About John FritzLance Metz John Fritz His Role in the Development of the American Iron and Steel Industry and His Legacy to the Bethlehem Community Easton PA Center for Canal History and Technology 1987 References Edit a b explorepahistory com John F Fritz engineer a b c d e f Sandra E Duffy 2012 Fritz Lab Not Just for Chicks Archived 2014 10 18 at the Wayback Machine from Pennsylvania State University Fritz John 1912 The Autobiography of John Fritz Wiley New York a b c d Students of Prof Tatu 2013 Steel and the Lehigh Valley Archived 2018 06 30 at the Wayback Machine from Lafayette College Journal of the Franklin Institute Volume 171 Issue 1 January 1911 Pages 97 98 Elliott Cresson Medal Awards John Fritz Esq 1 There was no reason to think there was anything extraordinary about the boy born to George Fritz and Mary Meharg on Aug 21 1822 Little Johannes Fritzius named after his German grandfather soon found that there was plenty to do on his family s farm in rural Chester County Under the stern but loving eye of their Scotch Irish mother John Fritz and his six brothers and sisters grew to maturity a b Appended documents to The Autobiography of John Fritz John Fritz 90 Died Today The Boston Globe Bethlehem Pennsylvania February 13 1913 p 2 Retrieved July 20 2020 External links Edit Media related to John Fritz at Wikimedia Commons Finding Aid to The Autobiography of John Fritz Holographic Manuscript Special Collections Linderman Library Lehigh University Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Fritz amp oldid 1075637289, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
