The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-09-11

BENJAMIN g. Lamme, chief en- gtneer
e the Westinghouse Electric and
Manufacturing Company. holds one OF
he most important positions in the
world He was not born in the city;
he. was reared in the country, but
tudied engineering and now he can
-ook back at his early days with
pride. The position he holds is one Of
be most sought after in the world.
rhe holder must be a recognized
uthofity in electricity.
The story Of his life is told in an
article in the American Boy Maya
line, written by Judson D. Stuart.
Little Benny Lamme didn't want to
re a farmer, like his father, when
re grew up. He wanted to work with
machinery.
He always said so. He was quite
ronest. in the matter and openly de-
Jared that he didn't like farming.
That boy Is always fooling WITH
machinery. they said of him.
Almost every boy has taken the
,itchsn clock apart, but few Of them
ever managed to get it together again
yithout leaving out a pile Of wheels,
nd other things. When Lamme was
10 years old. he took the kitchen clock
part and put 1t back together again
ithout emitting a wheel, and the
lock kept better time than ever.
Benjamin q. Lamme was born on q
1neIy farm quite a distance from
pringfefd, Ohio. He was a fortu-
ate boy IN having a common-sense
1ther.' When the elder Lamme dis
oyered that his Ben didn't care
hucks for farming as they used
say. he did not insist that he stick
the farm. He helped his boy to
get through Ohio State University.
where, in 1883. he was graduated
5 mechanical engineer.
Long before he went to the univer-
ity he. had discovered what he
-anted His desire was to work with
Machinery. When he got old enough
know more about such things be
xplained that he wanted to become
mechanical engineer.
By sticking to what he wanted
ne succeeded so we'll that for eigh-
cen years he has held one of the
lIghest positions possible, that Of
hief engineer of the famous West
nghouse Electric 6 Manufacturing
Company.
Benjamin Lamme is the man who
'harnessed Niagara" He was quite
q young man when he insisted that
he could do IL. That was twenty
six years ago. in 1895. when he
Etarted in. His success Is known
he world over, but few know who
he map was that did it because he
$ one of the most modest of men.
In his boyhood days on the farm
-e never won any medals at weed
ng onion patches or hoeing corn.
nut when any Of the farm imple-
nents or machinery broke down the
Instant demand was:
+ Send Ben here. He can fix it,"
He always did manage to fix 1t"
some way. and the neighboring
armers many a time drove over
nd got the boy to help them repair
ONE broken farm machinery
He honestly admitted that farm
york ''n1ade him tired" but he would
york all day and half the night by
anIern light to mend a broken
hreshing machine or some other
arm machinery. He liked it. and
.e succeeded.
After he was graduated as a full
edged Mechanical engineer there
we're a number of jobs rady for
aim with small concerns. But he
couldn't accept them
Il know just what I want" he
WOULD say. Il want to get in with
great big concern where I will
ave an opportunity to do big
nings.'.
He got his wish. for In 1889 he
cot job in the testing room of the
Westinghouse Company. Practically
very successful man, il Is interest
1S to note. started with a lob"
nd not a position" The difference
eems1o be that a boy has to- work
a=eb- He may loaf alitrle on a
ositiop and wear god clothes but
he has to work he has an oppor-
unity to show that he can make
>ood-
Young Lamme had not been In
he testing department six months
before he made one big leap. right
cross several important depart
aents and into the designing de-
In the testing department he
mechanical and cleo
FlcaFse1fces- Frequently he would
ose patience, with them because
: hey would not work we'll.
whats the use to monkey with
hist isn't perfected" he ex-
laimAd-one day.
We'll. young man." drawled his
ross. with a twinkle in his eye. 'ff
you think you can better it. you
Just go ahead"
Hi boss thought that would put
N cod to his complaints, but the
yount man took his boss at his
'ordS and soon had a device per-
ectes that was so much better
han the original that the depart
lent; heads were astounded.
Yen go into the design DEPART
ientsand get busy" they told him.
IN 1880 he was made assistant
hiefs engineer. and In 1908 chief
ngirSer-
His progress was rapid there.
bout six years after he went to
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