What if this bust could speak? What stories would Josés Vitorino Damásio tell us about his life? Right now we are standing in front of the Josés Vitorino Damásio Bust. It is a tribute to a remarkable man.
José Vitorino Damásio was born in 1806. He lived in Vila da Feira. Damásio died in Lisbon in 1875.
He was more than just an engineer. He was a professor at the Polytechnic Academy of Porto. Later he became the director of the Industrial Institute of Lisbon. Damásio founded the Industrial Association of Porto. Today it is known as the Business Association of Portugal.
In 1828, he joined the Academic Volunteers Battalion. They fought for the liberal cause during the Portuguese Civil War. The liberal forces were defeated. D. Pedro went into exile. José Vitorino Damásio fled to Galicia. Then he went to the Azores.
Damásio participated in the landing at Mindelo in 1832. He served as a second lieutenant of Artillery. After the war, he finished his studies.
From 1838 to 1851, Damásio taught at the Polytechnic Academy of Porto. He taught engineering, stability and machine construction. He also taught about steam engines and hydraulics. In 1846, he returned to the military. He became Chief of the General Staff. He participated in missions in Northern Portugal.
Later, he helped found the Industrial Association of Porto in 1848. He also founded the newspaper O Industrial Portuense. He became the association’s third president.
In Lisbon, he was the head of the Industrial Institute. He was also a director at the Water Company. Damásio joined the General Directorate of Telegraphs. He became a pioneer of electric telegraphy in Portugal. Damásio advocated for industrial schools. These schools began to appear in the 1880s. The Victorino Damasio School of Industrial Design in Torres Novas was named in his honor. It was later moved to Lagos.
As a civil engineer, Damásio oversaw the construction of roads. He used a cylinder system developed by Antoine-Rémy Polonceau. It was previously unknown in Portugal.
Damásio introduced the cylinder system to Portugal. He discovered that fibrous iron becomes granular after an explosion. This was helpful after a steam boiler explosion. In 1852, Damásio joined the Central Commission of Weights and Measures. This commission implemented the metric system in Portugal. He also oversaw the construction of steam engines.
In 1855, the government sent Damásio to the Universal Exhibition in Paris. He studied developments in railways.
With Faria Guimarães, Damásio founded the Bolhão Foundry. It introduced the manufacture of enameled cast iron tableware.
Before his death, he wrote a book of memoirs.
Josés Vitorino Damásio received honors for his bravery in combat. He was honored in the Military Order of Avis and the Military Order of the Tower and Sword. Streets in Porto, Lisbon, Odivelas and Santa Maria da Feira bear his name.
José Vitorino Damásio also helped design the Ponte Pensil bridge over the Douro River. The bridge was constructed by Claranges Lucotte & Cie of France 1841-3. It was demolished around 1887 after the Dom Luiz 1 Bridge was built.
José Vitorino Damásio was indeed a multifaceted man. His contributions spanned military service, education, engineering, and industry. This bust serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy.