William Ripper
Encyclopedia
William Ripper was principal of Sheffield Technical School
when it merged with other institutions to create the University of Sheffield
and he was acting Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1917 to 1919.
He started as a dockyard apprentice, was later a science teacher in the Central Higher School of Sheffield, publishing a book on chemistry. However his main technical work was as a mechanical engineer. He published two notable books on Steam, and Steam Engines which went through several editions. Steam was later, in 1909, expanded to cover the recently developed steam turbine
s and internal combustion engine
s, being then re-titled as Heat Engines.
He was therefore appointed to teach mechanical engineering at Sheffield Technical School, becoming professor in 1889 and then Principal. The Technical School became the Department of Technology in the new University in 1905, with Ripper as head. During the First World War the then Vice-Chancellor Herbert Fisher
was called away to a government post, and Ripper took on the role until 1919. He managed this in addition to his position of professor of Mechanical Engineering, and also coordinator of the University war effort, which included extensive training for industry and allocation of work to local firms for efficient production, as well as research and direct technical support.
Ripper was also instrumental in setting up local ‘trades technical societies’ to promote good technical practice and worker education, sometimes using the university’s laboratories.
William Ripper retired from the University in 1923 and died in 1937.
Sheffield Central Technical School
The former Sheffield Central Technical School was housed in the collection of buildings now called Leopold Square in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England...
when it merged with other institutions to create the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
and he was acting Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1917 to 1919.
He started as a dockyard apprentice, was later a science teacher in the Central Higher School of Sheffield, publishing a book on chemistry. However his main technical work was as a mechanical engineer. He published two notable books on Steam, and Steam Engines which went through several editions. Steam was later, in 1909, expanded to cover the recently developed steam turbine
Steam turbine
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884....
s and internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
s, being then re-titled as Heat Engines.
He was therefore appointed to teach mechanical engineering at Sheffield Technical School, becoming professor in 1889 and then Principal. The Technical School became the Department of Technology in the new University in 1905, with Ripper as head. During the First World War the then Vice-Chancellor Herbert Fisher
Herbert Fisher
Herbert Albert Laurens Fisher OM, FRS, PC was an English historian, educator, and Liberal politician. He served as President of the Board of Education in David Lloyd George's 1916 to 1922 coalition government....
was called away to a government post, and Ripper took on the role until 1919. He managed this in addition to his position of professor of Mechanical Engineering, and also coordinator of the University war effort, which included extensive training for industry and allocation of work to local firms for efficient production, as well as research and direct technical support.
Ripper was also instrumental in setting up local ‘trades technical societies’ to promote good technical practice and worker education, sometimes using the university’s laboratories.
William Ripper retired from the University in 1923 and died in 1937.