John Barton (engineer)

Infobox Engineer

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caption =
name = Sir John Barton
nationality =
birth_date = 1771-08-05
birth_place = Plymouth, England
death_date = death date and age|1834|8|25|1771|8|5
death_place = Windsor, England
education =
spouse = Ann Harrison
parents =
children =
discipline =
institutions =
practice_name =
significant_projects =
significant_design =
significant_advance =
awards =

Sir John Barton (1771-08-05, Plymouth, England - 1834-08-25, Windsor, England) was an eighteenth century engineer.

He created a micrometer, which he called the "Atometer", for measuring small distances using a differential-screw technique [cite journal|url=http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0950-7671/15/2/302/siv15i2p37A.pdf|author=A F C Pollard|year=1938|title=The mechanical amplification of small displacements|journal=J. Sci. Instrum.|volume=15|doi=10.1088/0950-7671/15/2/302|pages=37|format=subscription required] , a Ruling Engine, and patented a method of creating metal ornaments engraved with parallel lines, using diffraction to create colours. [cite journal|url=http://www.newcomen.com/transactions.htm|author=P. Grodzinski|year=1947-1949|title=A Ruling Engine used by Sir John Barton - and its Products|journal=Transactions of the Newcomen Society|volume=26] 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 1834-08-25. After his death, his wife Ann gave John Harrison's last pendulum clock to the Royal Astronomical Society.

John Harrison of longitude fame was John Barton's grandfather, 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.

References

External links

* [http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?
] in the collection at the London Science Museum
* [http://www.nature.com/news/1998/980924/full/980924-13.html Nature.com article on Barton's engravings] (subscription only)