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John Barton (engineer)
Encyclopedia
Sir John Barton was an eighteenth-century engineer.
He created a micrometer
, which he called the "Atometer", for measuring small distances using a differential-screw technique, a Ruling Engine, and patented a method of creating metal ornaments engraved with parallel lines, using diffraction
to create colours. An example of the latter are "Barton's Buttons", which were gold buttons stamped with a hard steel die on which Barton cut hexagonal patterns.
Sir John Barton served as deputy comptroller of the Royal Mint
in the early part of the nineteenth century and later as Treasurer to Queen Adelaide
. He died at Windsor
on 25 August 1834. After his death, his wife Ann gave John Harrison's last pendulum clock to the Royal Astronomical Society
.
John Barton's wife was the granddaugher of John Harrison, of longitude fame, which is how Ann Barton had possession of Harrison's last pendulum clock and could give it away. Queen Adelaide was godmother to the Bartons' daughter, who was also named Adelaide and who was to become the great grandmother of the writer of this paragraph. John Barton had gained his knighthood while private secretary to the Prince of Wales for services rendered in keeping the prince's wife out of the way while the prince was consorting with his mistress. Sir John Barton became a frequent and well received visitor to Windsor Castle, and his memorial plaque is now to be seen in St. George's chapel there.
He created a micrometer
Micrometer
A micrometer , sometimes known as a micrometer screw gauge, is a device incorporating a calibrated screw used widely for precise measurement of small distances in mechanical engineering and machining as well as most mechanical trades, along with other metrological instruments such as dial, vernier,...
, which he called the "Atometer", for measuring small distances using a differential-screw technique, a Ruling Engine, and patented a method of creating metal ornaments engraved with parallel lines, using diffraction
Diffraction
Diffraction refers to various phenomena which occur when a wave encounters an obstacle. Italian scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi coined the word "diffraction" and was the first to record accurate observations of the phenomenon in 1665...
to create colours. An example of the latter are "Barton's Buttons", which were gold buttons stamped with a hard steel die on which Barton cut hexagonal patterns.
Sir John Barton served as deputy comptroller of the Royal Mint
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture, or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. The Mint originated over 1,100 years ago, but since 2009 it operates as Royal Mint Ltd, a company which has an exclusive contract with HM Treasury to supply all coinage for the UK...
in the early part of the nineteenth century and later as Treasurer to Queen Adelaide
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and of Hanover as spouse of William IV of the United Kingdom. Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, is named after her.-Early life:Adelaide was born on 13 August 1792 at Meiningen, Thuringia, Germany...
. He died at Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
on 25 August 1834. After his death, his wife Ann gave John Harrison's last pendulum clock to the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
.
John Barton's wife was the granddaugher of John Harrison, of longitude fame, which is how Ann Barton had possession of Harrison's last pendulum clock and could give it away. Queen Adelaide was godmother to the Bartons' daughter, who was also named Adelaide and who was to become the great grandmother of the writer of this paragraph. John Barton had gained his knighthood while private secretary to the Prince of Wales for services rendered in keeping the prince's wife out of the way while the prince was consorting with his mistress. Sir John Barton became a frequent and well received visitor to Windsor Castle, and his memorial plaque is now to be seen in St. George's chapel there.
External links
- Picture of a set of buttons engraved by John Barton with diffraction patterns, c 1825, in the collection at the London Science Museum
- Nature.com article on Barton's engravings (subscription only)