Richard Scott Perkin

Richard "Dick" Scott Perkin (1906–1969) was an American entrepreneur.

At an early age he developed an interest in astronomy, and began making telescopes and grinding lenses and mirrors. He only spent a year in college studying chemical engineering before he began working at a brokerage firm on Wall Street.

During the 1930s he met Charles Elmer when the latter was presenting a lecture. The two had a mutual interest in astronomy and decided to go into business together. In 1937, they founded Perkin-Elmer as an optical design and consulting company. Richard served as president of the company until 1960, then became chairman of the board.

Perkin crater on the Moon was named after him, while Elmer crater was named for his business partner.

Additional reading

* Fahy, Thomas P., "Richard Scott Perkin and the Perkin-Elmer Corporation", 1987, Perkin-Elmer Print Shop, ISBN 0-9618075-0-4.

ee also

*List of astronomical instrument makers

External links

* cite web
title=Richard S. Perkin | work=Pittcon Hall of Fame
url=http://www.chemheritage.org/exhibits/pittcon/perkin.html
accessdate=November 11
accessyear=2005