James Nasmyth Quotes

United Kingdom, Engineer
August 19, 1808 – May, 7, 1890.

James Hall Nasmyth (sometimes spelled Naesmyth, Nasmith, or Nesmyth) (19 August 1808 – 7 May 1890) was a Scottish engineer, philosopher, artist and inventor famous for his development of the steam hammer. He was the co-founder of Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company manufacturers of machine tools. He retired at the age of 48, and moved to Penshurst, Kent where he developed his hobbies of astronomy and photography.

Also known as Philosopher, Artist, Inventor

In course of time the Brothers Cowper removed the manufacture of their printing machines from London, to Manchester. There they found skilled and energetic workmen, ready to carry their plans into effect.

James Nasmyth
- Time
In order to keep pace with the influx of work I had to take on fresh hands.

James Nasmyth
- Work

We may fill our purses, but we pay a heavy price for it in the loss of picturesqueness and beauty.

James Nasmyth
- May
But my most favourite pursuit, after my daily exertions at the Foundry, was Astronomy. There were frequently clear nights when the glorious objects in the Heavens were seen in most attractive beauty and brilliancy.

James Nasmyth
- Daily
Week by week my orders grew, and the flat of the old mill soon assumed a very busy aspect.

James Nasmyth
Everything connected with war and warlike exploits is interesting to a boy.

James Nasmyth
- War
- Interesting
- Boy
In all well-conducted concerns the law of 'selection of the fittest' sooner or later comes into happy action, when a loyal and attached set of men work together harmoniously for their own advantage as well as for that of their employers.

James Nasmyth
- Work
- Men
- Together
Time passed by. I had furnished steam hammers to the principal foundries in England. I had sent them abroad, even to Russia. At length it became known to the Lords of the Admiralty that a new power in forging had been introduced.

James Nasmyth
- Time
- Power

In 1854 I took out a patent for puddling iron by means of steam.

James Nasmyth
My father was always anxious to give pleasure to his children. Accordingly, he took me one day, as a special treat, to the top of the grand old tower, to see the chimes played.

James Nasmyth
- Children
- Father
From a very early period of my life I have derived the highest enjoyment from listening to music, especially to melody, which is to me the most pleasing form of composition.

James Nasmyth
- Life
- Music
- Listening
The arrangement we greatly preferred was to employ intelligent, well-conducted young lads, the sons of labourers or mechanics, and advance them by degrees according to their merits.

James Nasmyth
- Intelligent
OUR history begins before we are born. We represent the hereditary influences of our race, and our ancestors virtually live in us.

James Nasmyth
- Live
- History