Biographical entry Penn, John (1805 - 1878)
- Born
- 1805
Greenwich, United Kingdom - Died
- 23 September 1878
London, United Kingdom - Occupation
- Engineer
Summary
John Penn was a British engineer who's firm was on the forefront of marine engine and propeller technology during the mid-19th century.
The firm was a main supplier of engines and other essential components to the Royal Navy in its early days commissioning steam-powered ships.
Penn made the integral advancement of introducing wood bearings for screw-propeller shafts and is also credited with being the first to mass produce high-pressure and high-revolution marien engines.
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Details
Chronology
- c. 1830
- Career event - Became a partner in his father's firm, it was renamed John Penn and Sons
- 1843
- Career event - Assumes full ownership of company upon his father's death
- 1858 - 1859
- Career event - President of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers
- 1859
- Career event - Elected a member of the Royal Society
- 1860
- Career event - Founding Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects
- 1867 - 1868
- Career event - President of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers
Published resources
Books
- Banbury, P., Shipbuilders of the Thames and Medway, David & Charles Ltd, Newton Abbot, UK, 1971, 336 pp. Details
Journal Articles
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Thames Pioneer Shipbuilders and Marine Engineers', The Engineer, vol. 87, 27 January 1899, pp. 81-84; Banbury, P., Shipbuilders of the Thames and Medway, David & Charles Ltd, Newton Abbot, UK, 1971, 336 pp.
Prepared by: Rebecca Rigby