John Pitcairn Jr. was a Scottish-born American industrialist. With just an elementary school education, Pitcairn rose through the ranks of the Pennsylvania railroad industry, and played a significant role in the creation of the modern oil and natural gas industries. He went on to found the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, an early industry innovator which quickly grew into the largest manufacturer of plate glass in the United States, and amassed one of the largest fortunes in the United States at the time.
John Pitcairn Jr.
Oil Creek and Allegheny River Railway stock certificate vignette
Headquarters of PPG Industries, formerly Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company
Bryn Athyn Cathedral
PPG Industries, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 company and global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG operates in more than 70 countries around the globe. By revenue it is the largest coatings company in the world followed by Sherwin-Williams. It is headquartered in PPG Place, an office and retail complex in downtown Pittsburgh, and is known for its glass facade designed by Postmodern architect Philip Johnson.
PPG Industries
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company plaque in the plaza at PPG Place
Remediation at Canal Crossing, Jersey City.
Image: Pittsburgh Glass Mke Sept 2010