George I. Alden (22 April 1843 – 13 September 1926) was a

mechanical engineer Mechanical may refer to: Machine * Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement * Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations o ...

and academic innovator. Alden was raised in

Templeton, Massachusetts Templeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,149 at the 2020 census. The town comprises four main villages: Templeton Center, East Templeton, Baldwinville, and Otter River. Geography According to ...

and educated at Harvard's

Lawrence Scientific School The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) is the engineering education, engineering school within Harvard University's Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, offering degrees in eng ...

and taught mechanical engineering for twenty-eight years at

Worcester Polytechnic Institute The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a Private university, private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now h ...

where he gained national recognition for his teaching style that combined practice with theory. In 1885 he co-founded the Norton Emery Wheel Company in

Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Massachusetts, second-most populous city in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the list of United States cities by population, 113th most populous city in the United States. Named after Worcester ...

. He also invented a

dynamometer A dynamometer or "dyno" is a device for simultaneously measuring the torque and rotational speed ( RPM) of an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover so that its instantaneous power may be calculated, and usually displayed by the dyna ...

for measuring the power of various machines and the first

hydraulic elevator An elevator (American English) or lift (Commonwealth English) is a machine that vertically transports people or freight between levels. They are typically powered by electric motors that drive traction cables and counterweight systems such ...

. He was a trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a trustee of the Worcester Boys' Trade High School. He was a member of the

American Society of Mechanical Engineers The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing edu ...

from its founding in 1880 and its Vice-President from 1891-3. He made donations to establish and expand a hydraulic laboratory at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Alden established the George I. Alden Trust on August 24, 1912 for the general purpose of "the maintenance of some charitable or philanthropic enterprises" with particular interest in "the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions," as well as a particular interest in Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester Technical High School, and Massachusetts YMCAs.

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1843 births 1926 deaths American mechanical engineers Worcester Polytechnic Institute faculty Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences alumni {{US-mechanical-engineer-stub