Arthur Seymour (A.S.) Pike (1851-1942) was an American businessman, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was born in Manchester, Connecticut, to an affluent family. He excelled in mathematics and the sciences from an early age, and received a scholarship from Yale University when he was still a teenager. During his time at Yale, he developed an interest in engineering and technology, leading him to pursue a career in industry upon his graduation in 1873.
Pike worked as a draftsman for various manufacturing companies in New England before moving to Philadelphia to start his own company in 1879. His inventions and business ventures made him a leader in the engineering and manufacturing field. He developed a wide range of devices and processes that became widely used in various industries, including mining, railroads, and paper mills. In addition, he was an early pioneer of the telephone system and helped set up the first telephone exchange in the United States in 1879.
Though he was a successful entrepreneur, Pike was also a dedicated philanthropist. Most notably, he established the Arthur S. Pike Foundation in 1895 to provide educational grants and scholarships to young people who showed promise in science and engineering. He was also involved in numerous social causes and was an advocate for civil rights during the early 20th century.
In 1898, Pike published a book of his autobiographical recollections entitled Inventions and Improvements: Stories of My Life and Business. The book became popular and received a great deal of attention from the engineering and technological communities. Many of his inventions and business techniques are still in use today.
The legacy of A. S. Pike is one that has endured over a century, and his commitment to technological progress and social justice will continue to be inspiring to generations of innovators. He was a great example of how an individual can make a lasting and significant impact on society, and his contributions to technological progress have helped shape the modern world.
