John Barton

Sir John Barton (5 August 1771, Plymouth, England - 25 August 1834, Windsor, England) was an eighteenth-century engineer. He created a micrometer, which he called the "Atometer", for measuring small distances using a differential-screw technique, a Ruling Engine, and patented a method of creating metal ornaments engraved with parallel lines, using diffraction to create colours. An example of the latter are "Barton's Buttons", which were gold buttons stamped with a hard steel die on which Barton cut hexagonal patterns. Sir John Barton served as deputy comptroller of the Royal Mint in the early part of the nineteenth century and later as Treasurer to Queen Adelaide. He died at Windsor on 25 August 1834. After his death, his wife Ann gave...