professor of chemical engineering and applied electrochemistry, b. Thomaston, Me. He graduated from Bowdoin College (A.B., 1889), and, after several years of teaching in the East, from the Univ. of Wisconsin (Ph.D., 1905). In 1905 he joined the faculty of the Univ. of Wisconsin, and from that date until his retirement in 1937 served as instructor and professor of applied electrochemistry in the department of chemical engineering. Watts was the author of numerous papers on various developments in electrochemistry, but is perhaps the best known for his development of the hot nickel plating bath known as the "Watts Bath" which he first described in a paper published in 1915. The process came into widespread use, and was eventually utilized by the entire plating industry. After retiring to the status of emeritus associate professor in 1937, Watts continued to work at his laboratory experiments for many years. A lover of the outdoors, Watts spent his summers in travel and camping, but maintained his residence in Madison until his death. He was vice-president of the National Electro-Chemical Society (1926-1927). M. Curti and V. Carstensen, Univ. of Wis. (2 vols., Madison, 1949); Madison Capital Times, Feb. 6, 1953; Univ. of Wis. Faculty Memorial, Document 1081, April 6, 1953 (on file in office of secretary of the faculty).Learn More
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
