ABSTRACT
SPANGLER H.W. 18.01. 1858 Carlisle PA/USA 17.03. 1912 Philadelphia PA/USA Henry Wilson Spangler graduated in 1878 from the US Naval Academy, Annapolis MD. He was then until 1889 assistant engineer in the US Navy, and in parallel detached from 1881 as assistant professor of mechanical engineering to Pennsylvania University, Philadelphia PA, taking over in 1889 the Whitney Professorship in dynamical engineering. He served from 1887 until his death further as the head of the Mechanical and Electrical Department. The high standard of excellence achieved during this period was considered to be largely due to his remarkable talents as a teacher, and his pronounced ability as executive officer. When Spangler took over at the University of Pennsylvania, there was only a small laboratory including just a 5 HP boiler, and a small engine connected by belt to two dynamos. In 1906, given the strong increase of students, the Engineering Building was erected, including an mechanical engineering laboratory which then was considered an adequate addition to the University. Spangler was the author of various textbooks, with topics ranging from Valve gears, Notes on thermodynamics, to Elements of steam engineering. His effort was to present the subject matters in the simplest and clearest manner, consisting with the intended scope of treatment, and to keep in view of practice. As teacher, Spangler was described as being lucid, stimulating, progressive, and always intensely practical. On no point he more insisted than that of individual responsibility, which his students were required to assume in each branch of their work. The University conferred in 1896 on him the honorary degree of Master of Science, and in 1906 the honorary PhD degree. He was member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME, the American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers SNAME, and the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia, of which he was president in 1890 and 1908. He passed away from heart disease, after several months of illness. Spangler possessed to a remarkable degree the faculty of perceiving clearly the essential elements in his job. Anonymous (1912). Henry Wilson Spangler. Engineering News 67(13): 616-617. P Spangler, H.W. (1901). Notes on thermodynamics. Wiley: New York. Spangler, H.W., Greene, A.M., Marshall, S.M. (1903). Elements of steam engineering. Wiley: New York. Spangler, H.W. (1910). Applied thermodynamics. McVey: Philadelphia. Spangler, H.W. (1910). Valve gears: Analysis of the Zeuner diagram. Wiley: New York.
