ALLEN, ZACHARIAH (1795-1882), American scientist, inventor and manufacturer, was born in Providence, R.I., on Sept. I5, the son of a wealthy merchant. He graduated at Brown university in 1813, was admitted to the bar in 1815, and in 1822 became engaged in manufacturing enterprises. By the use of his wealth and through his inventions he substantially aided the development of various industries in Rhode Island. In 1821 he constructed the first hot-air furnace for the heating of dwelling houses. For the purpose of studying advanced mechanical methods he visited in 1825 England, France and the Netherlands. In he secured the patent for the automatic cut-off valve for steam engines, his most widely known invention. He made an improved fire-engine, devised a storage reservoir for water-power and was the first to make a calculation of the motive power of Niagara Falls, which he published in Silliman's Journal in 1844. Among his published writings are: The Science of Mechanics (1829) ; Philosophy of the Mechanics of Nature (18 5 2) ; The Rhode Island System of Treatment of the Indians, and of Establishing Civil and Religious Liberty (1876) ; and Solar Light and Heat, the Source and Supply (1879) . He died in his native city on March 17, 1882.
See Amos Perry, Memorial of Zachariah Allen, (Cam bridge, Mass., 1883).