INVENTOR of the MONTH

David Neslon Crosthwait, Jr: Heating & Cooling

David Crosthwait was born on May 27, 1898, in Nashville. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and attended that city’s segregated schools. As a child, he excelled in math and science and wanted to be an engineer. His dedicated teachers and supportive parents worked hard to nurture his interest in math and science.

Crosthwait received a full scholarship to Purdue University and graduated at the top of his class in 1913 with a B.S. in engineering. In 1920 the university awarded him a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Crosthwait was employed as a research engineer by the C.A. Dunham Company in Michigan City, Indiana. From 1925 to 1930 he was the company’s director of research laboratories. From 1930 to 1971 he served as the technical adviser to the newly formed Dunham-Bush, Inc.

Crosthwait was recognized as an authority on heat transfer, ventilation, and air conditioning. He held more than 39 U.S. patents and 80 international patents. A highlight of his career was designing the huge heating and cooling system for Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Crosthwait was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Heating, the American Chemical Society, and the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest Black fraternity in America.

At the conclusion of his career, Crosthwait taught a course in steam heating theory and control systems at Purdue. He died in 1976.

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