Jonathan Wistar Harris
Jonathan Wistar Harris (1874-1925)
1925 Obituary [1]
JONATHAN WISTAR HARRIS, head of the Chemical Research Laboratories of the Engineering Department of the Western Electric Company, died at his home in Montclair, New Jersey, on December 6, 1924.
Mr. Harris was born at Richmond, Indiana, on August 15, 1874. He entered the University of Michigan and graduated with the Class of 1898 with a degree in Chemical Engineering.
He joined the Western Electric Company in the Clinton Street Shops, Chicago, on January 15, 1900. There his first work was in the chemical laboratory, and throughout his career he remained identified with chemical engineering and research activities. Mr. Harris played an important part in many of the notable achievements of the Chemical Laboratories. While in Chicago the most important of these was the development of black enamel wire. He commenced his investigations in that field during the latter part of 1902, and early in 1904 the wire was in the process of manufacture. In 1904 the Engineering Department took over the work of the Chemical Laboratory and Mr. Harris was placed at the head of the department.
In 1907 the engineering activities at Chicago were transferred to New York and Mr. Harris was placed in charge of the Chemical Research Laboratories. At that time the department numbered five men and occupied one room. At present it has a personnel of over fifty men, and occupies the entire thirteenth floor of the Engineering Department building and additional space on the third floor and in the basement.
Among the important accomplishments of the West Street Chemical Laboratories in which Mr. Harris was concerned may be mentioned the development of antimony as the hardening constituent of lead cable to replace the more expensive tin; the study of moisture-proofing compounds and textile insulations; the development of an alloy for contacts as a substitute for platinum; important contributions in various metal finishes and important work in connection with the development of Permalloy. Mr. Harris possessed a winning personality, and was widely known in the Company. He was an enthusiastic fisherman and hunter, and was very much interested in ornithology.
Mr. Harris was elected a Member of the Institute of Metals on May 12, 1914.