Albert Gagnebin
American metallurgist (1909–1999)
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Albert Paul Gagnebin (January 23, 1909 – February 14, 1999) was an American metallurgist who became president then Chairman of Inco Limited. He co-discovered ductile cast iron.[1]
Albert Gagnebin | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | January 23, 1909 |
| Died | February 14, 1999 (aged 90) |
| Education | Yale University (BSc '30, MSc '32) |
| Spouse |
Genevieve Hope (m. 1935) |
Early life and education
Albert Paul Gagnebin was born in 1909.[citation needed] He received a metallurgy degree from Yale University.[1]
Career
Gagnebin started work at the International Nickel Company's laboratory in Bayonne, New Jersey.[1] Over the course of a few years, he and co-inventors Keith Mills and Norman Pilling developed ductile cast iron,[2][3] which they had observed by chance.[4] The product was patented in 1949.[1][5][6][7] In 1952, the American Foundrymen's Society honored Gagnebin and Millis with the Peter L. Simpson Gold Medal for their finding.[8][9][10]
Gagnebin wrote The Fundamentals of Iron and Steel Castings in 1957.[citation needed] The book went through at least four editions by 1968.[11]
He rose in the company, becoming vice-president in 1964 and president in 1967.[1] The following year, he opened five new mines.[12] In March 1969, he cemented the COFIMPAC accord with the French government for INCO to begin to exploit a property in New Caledonia.[13] Gagnebin became chairman in 1971 before retiring in 1974. He remained on the board of directors until 1980.[1]
In 1977, Gagnebin earned the Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers for distinguishing himself in mining administration.[14]
Death
Gagnebin died in February 1999. He was survived by his wife (Grace) and two daughters (Anne Coffin and Joan Wicks).[1]