MS51: Howard G. Freeman Papers

Howard G. Freeman was born in Winthrop, MA and attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1940 with a degree in mechanical engineering. That same year, he accepted a position at the Rockwood Sprinkler Company in Worcester, MA as head of research and development. In 1942, at the request of the US Navy, Freeman patented a design for a water fogging nozzle to better combat oil fires at sea. During World War II, Freeman also invented a foam capable of extinguishing aviation fuel fires caused by kamikaze attacks.

In 1945, Freeman founded the Jamesbury Corporation which specialized in valves with his brother Julian. Jamesbury's valves were used in a number of application by both NASA and the US Navy. In 1984, Jamesbury was sold to Combustion Engineering for $100,000,000.

Married to his beloved wife, the former Esther Smith of Medford, MA in 1941, the couple enjoyed sailing and doting on their family. Freeman died in 2015 at the age of 96.