John Hamilton Crankshaw

Background

Crankshaw, John Hamilton was born on August 29, 1914 in Canton, Ohio, United States. Son of Frederick Weir and Mary (Lashels) Crankshaw.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mech. Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Science, 1940. Rotating engineer General Electric Company, 1940-1941, section engineer, mechanic design section Motor Engineer division Locomotive Car Equipment, Erie, Pennsylvania, 1946-1952.

Executive engineer J.A. Zurn Manufacturing Company, American Flexible Coupling Company, 1952-1954. Vice president engineering, 1954. Executive vice president, director Zurn Industries, Inc., managing director Zurn Research and Development Division, until 1957.

President, dir.Dynetics, Inc., Erie, 1957, Dynetic Systems, Inc., Erie, 1970. Expert witness numerous product liability cases.

Career

Rotating engineer General Electric, 1940-1941. Section engineer mechanical design section Motor Engineer division Locomotive Car Equipment, Erie, Pennsylvania, 1946-1952. Executive engineer J.A. Zurn Manufacturing Company, American Flexible Coupling Company, 1952-1954, vice president engineering, 1954.

Executive vice president, director Zurn Industries, Inc., managing director Research and Development division, until 1957. President Dynetics, Inc., Erie, from 1957, Dynetic Systems, Inc., Erie, from 1970. Expert witness numerous product liability cases.

Achievements

• Achievements include 25 United States and 5 foreign patents. Invention and design of main propulsion couplings and clutches for nuclear powered submarines and Navy and Coast Guard surface ships.

Membership

Member advisory council Gannon University. Chairman Erie Sewer Authority. Major Ordnance Department, Army of the United States, 1941-1946.

Fellow American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Member American Society for Testing and Materials, Society Automotive Engineers, Association Iron and Steel Engineers, Society Experimental Stress Analysis, Society Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, American Society Metals, American Society Lubricating Engineers, Pennsylvania Society Professional Engineers, Erie Engineering Societies Council, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Club (New York City), Sigma Xi.

Connections

Married Wilma Chaffee Thurlow, June 5, 1940. Children: Wilma Jean, John H., Geoffrey Thurlow.

Father:

Frederick Weir Crankshaw

Mother:

Mary (Lashels) Crankshaw

Spouse:

Wilma Chaffee Thurlow

child:

Wilma Jean Crankshaw

child:

Geoffrey Thurlow Crankshaw

child:

John H. Crankshaw