Harold A. McMaster, known as “the father of glass tempering”, and who held more than 100 patents dealing with glass bending and termpering, solar energy and rotary engines, has died at the Toledo Hosp…
Harold A. McMaster, known as “the father of glass tempering”, and who held more than 100 patents dealing with glass bending and termpering, solar energy and rotary engines, has died at the Toledo Hospital, Ohio, aged 86. Mr. McMaster was also a creator of companies: in 1948 he founded glass maker and processor Permaglass, Inc. of Millbury, Ohio, now part of Guardian Industries. In 1971 he co-founded Glasstech Inc., of Perrysburg, Ohio, a leading global manufacturer of glass bending and tempering systems, and in 1987 he co-founded Solar Cells Inc. of Perrysburg, a photovoltaic cell manufacturer. McMaster combined the vision and analytical nature of the scientist with a strong business sense, enabling him not only to “see” how to do things but also how to commercialize his innovations. In 1993, Mr. McMaster received the prestigious Phoenix Award as the US glass industry“s man of the year. Alongside his achievements in the glass industry, Mr. McMaster and his wife Helen were known in north west Ohio for their philanthropic contributions to colleges and universities in the area.