Harold McMaster

American inventor, scientist and entrepreneur

Harold A. McMaster (July 20, 1916 – August 25, 2003) was an American inventor with over 100 patents and entrepreneur who founded four companies. Fortune Magazine called him "The Glass Genius".2

From Wikipedia’s article on Harold McMaster (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jul 20, 1916, died Aug 25, 2003.1

About

He also worked on developing commercial-scale solar cell technology and developed a new type of engine, the "McMaster Rotary Engine."

McMaster was an inventor early on. His father gave him a set of tools at age 6. By 8, he had built a set of farm machinery, by 10, a threshing machine that husked corn, and by 12 he was making car motors.

Following his graduation from Ohio State with a combined master's degree in physics, mathematics, and astronomy in 1939, McMaster worked as the first research physicist ever employed by the Libbey Owens Ford Glass in Toledo, Ohio. He received his first patent during World War 2 (WWII) for a periscope used by fighter pilots to see behind them.

From Wikipedia’s article on Harold McMaster, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedOhio State University3
  • Date not recordedDefiance College3

Career

Occupation: physicist.5

Personal life

  • BornJul 20, 1916, Deshler6
  • DiedAug 25, 2003, Perrysburg7
  • CitizenshipUnited States8

Harold McMaster was born on a tenant farm near Deshler, Ohio. He met his wife, the former Helen Clark, while both were students at Defiance College in the 1930s. In addition to his widow, he was survived by their four children: Ronald McMaster, Jeanine Dunn, Nancy Cobie, and Alan McMaster. Harold McMaster died in 2003.

From Wikipedia’s article on Harold McMaster (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Philanthropy

The Harold and Helen McMaster Foundation was founded in 1988, and has made contributions to libraries, colleges, universities, museums, and hospitals in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

From Wikipedia’s article on Harold McMaster (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • 2008National Inventors Hall of Fame9 10

Sources

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