John Austin (inventor)
Encyclopedia
John Austin was a Scottish
inventor, known for inventing musical equipment, improvements to weaving machines, and a new system of stenography.
Austin was a native of Craigton
. He was an apprentice to William and Walter Tait in Glasgow
, and became a guild brother on January 18, 1776.
He published at Glasgow, in or about 1800, a system of Stenography which may be learned in an hour, on a single folio engraved sheet, price 2s. 6d. A note at the end announces the publication of a complete system by the same author, price one guinea, but this does not appear to have been issued.
He was also the author of an elaborate work entitled A System of Stenographic Music, invented by J. Austin, Glasgow. Dedicated to the Musical World, in English, French, Italian, German, and other Languages, (Glasgow, 50 engraved pages, oblong folio, no date, c. 1802). On the title-page is an engraved portrait of the author, who states in the preface that 'the design of this work is to represent to the musical world a new, easy, concise, and universal method of writing music completely on one line only, and adapted to all kinds of vocal and instrumental music and musical instruments, whereby an expert writer may note it down as he hears it performed, so that to those who make it their amusement or profession it will be equally interesting, together with the pleasure of improving and profiting by the art,' and, in conclusion, he remarks that 'if the shorthand writer is pleased in taking from the mouth of an orator, the musical stenographer will be no less so when catching those dulcet sounds which vibrate through the soul, convincing her that she is more than mortal.' According to a review in The Scots Magazine
(lxv, 1803, p. 165), the system was taught in several boarding schools near Edinburgh, in addition to Herriot and Watson's Hospital.
Another publication about a musical invention, Tonometer (London, c. 1800), describes a mechanical aid for transposition and tuning using movable brass wheels.
Austin likewise appears to have turned his attention to the improvement of weaving
machines, creating steam-powered looms and other improvements.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
inventor, known for inventing musical equipment, improvements to weaving machines, and a new system of stenography.
Austin was a native of Craigton
Craigton
Formerly farming land for the Township of Govan, Craigton is a residential suburb in the southwest of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It borders Cardonald, Govan and Bellahouston Park. It has a primary school, Craigton Primary School, a small industrial estate and a number of shops lining Paisley...
. He was an apprentice to William and Walter Tait in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, and became a guild brother on January 18, 1776.
He published at Glasgow, in or about 1800, a system of Stenography which may be learned in an hour, on a single folio engraved sheet, price 2s. 6d. A note at the end announces the publication of a complete system by the same author, price one guinea, but this does not appear to have been issued.
He was also the author of an elaborate work entitled A System of Stenographic Music, invented by J. Austin, Glasgow. Dedicated to the Musical World, in English, French, Italian, German, and other Languages, (Glasgow, 50 engraved pages, oblong folio, no date, c. 1802). On the title-page is an engraved portrait of the author, who states in the preface that 'the design of this work is to represent to the musical world a new, easy, concise, and universal method of writing music completely on one line only, and adapted to all kinds of vocal and instrumental music and musical instruments, whereby an expert writer may note it down as he hears it performed, so that to those who make it their amusement or profession it will be equally interesting, together with the pleasure of improving and profiting by the art,' and, in conclusion, he remarks that 'if the shorthand writer is pleased in taking from the mouth of an orator, the musical stenographer will be no less so when catching those dulcet sounds which vibrate through the soul, convincing her that she is more than mortal.' According to a review in The Scots Magazine
The Scots Magazine
The Scots Magazine is a magazine containing articles on subjects of Scottish interest. It is the oldest magazine in the world still in publication although there have been several gaps in its publication history...
(lxv, 1803, p. 165), the system was taught in several boarding schools near Edinburgh, in addition to Herriot and Watson's Hospital.
Another publication about a musical invention, Tonometer (London, c. 1800), describes a mechanical aid for transposition and tuning using movable brass wheels.
Austin likewise appears to have turned his attention to the improvement of weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
machines, creating steam-powered looms and other improvements.