James Beaumont Neilson
James Beaumont Neilson (June 22, 1792 – January 18, 1865) was a Scottish inventor whose hot-blast process greatly increased the efficiency of smelting iron.
The son of an engineer, he was born in Shettleston and worked his way up to a position as foreman of the Glasgow Gasworks in 1817, a position he would hold for 40 years.
While trying to solve a problem with a blast furnace at Wilsontown Ironworks, Neilson realized that the force of the blast could be increased by passing hot air, rather than cold air, through the red-hot vessel. This reduced the amount of coal required to make iron, and greatly increased production efficiency to meet the demands of the railway and shipbuilding industries. Neilson conducted experiments to prove this theory, and patented his hot-blast process in 1828. After resolving some early teething troubles by 1834, the process became used widely, though Neilson had to frequently go to the courts to defend his patent and be able to license his invention.
His defence of his invention was successful, and he became rich. He died on his estate at Queenshill, near Kirkcudbright. His son, Walter Montgomerie Neilson, erected a monument to his memory there in 1883.
William Neilson, James's brother, founded the Glasgow locomotive manufacturer Neilson and Company, in 1836. James's son Walter took over the running of the firm in 1843.
