Robert Hare (1781-1858), American chemist. Hare invented the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, which achieved a temperature high enough to boil platinum (4170 degrees Celsius). He attained a high reputation as a chemist, and was responsible for the invention of the calorimeter and a hydrostatic balance. He also isolated boron and silicon. Hare held the post of Professor of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania from 1818 to 1847. Oil painting by Alvin Clark dating from 1856.