Nasmyth
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JAMES, a British engineer and astronomer ; son of A. Nasmyth; born in Edinburgh, Scotland , Aug. 19, 1808. He was educated at the School of Arts, Edinburgh , and in engineering under Maudsley in London. He removed in 1834 to Manchester , England, where he became a successful machine constructor and inventor. The steam hammer, which has rendered possible the immense forgings now employed, was invented by him in 1839. The steam pile driver, and the safety foundry ladle, are among his other inventions. He also acquired fame as a practical astronomer. He died in London , England, May 7, 1890. NASR-ED-DIN (Shah of Persia). born in Teheran in 1831; died in 1896. Though not the eldest son of his father, Mohammed Mirza, the influence of his mother caused used him to be proclaimed heir. Came to the throne in 1848. His right of accession was strongly disputed by El Beb, a leader of the people, but the new Shah succeeded in holding his throne. At an early age he showed himself keenly alive to the deficiencies of his people and made a deep study of western European methods of government, finance, and military organization. In 1856 he precipitated a war with Great Britain by his occupation of Herat, hostilities lasting a year. Later he made a number of visits to western Europe and established friendly relations, especially with London. His reign marked a long step in advance toward civilization by his people, especially in the field of applied science. He was finally assassinated by political opponents.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's in 1921 credited Nasmyth with the steam hammer of 1839, and the claim still stands, though his patent dates from 1842 and a rival French design built at Le Creusot has long muddied the question of who was first; the tool itself has since been largely displaced by hydraulic forging presses. His astronomy has fared less well: the beautiful plaster models he photographed for The Moon (1874) were built to argue that lunar craters were volcanic, whereas since the 1960s Apollo era they have been understood as impact scars. The entry's treatment of Nasr-ed-Din needs correcting too, for "El Beb" was not a rival claimant to the Persian throne but the Bab, founder of the Babi movement, executed in 1850; the Baha'i Faith that grew from it now has millions of adherents and is severely repressed in Iran. The Qajar dynasty he headed fell in 1925 and the monarchy itself ended with the revolution of 1979.
Written for this edition, 2026.