Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

U. S. Naval Aircraft Radio Labora- tory, Anacostia, D. C, in studying the Heaviside surface and radio echoes, added much knowiedjre that ht'li)ed to open the way to radar. Gebhard, a veteran in wireless, who served in the Navy in the First World War, is credited with out- standing work in development of radar transmitters, embodying elec- tronic principles. IVIajor General Roger B. Colton as Executive Officer and later as Director of the U. S. Army Signal Corps Laboratories at Fort Mon- mouth, N. J., early realized the pos- sibilities of radar and contributed much in fostering development of the new device for military pur- poses. Indicating the usefulness of radar to the Army, Major Ge'ieral Daw- son Olmstead, then Chief Signal Officer of the Army, reported to the House Appropriations Committee:* In the battle of Attu in Alaska, when our forces arrived and wanted to get men ashore in small boats, the weather made visibility so bad that the water could not be seen from the deck of a ship. The ships were berthed and the men landed by the use of radar. Many research workers and engi- neers of RCA Laboratories have contributed to the radar program through the development of inte- gral parts. The first steps were taken many years ago, when a pro- gram of research was instituted in the ultra-short wave radio spec- trum, with emphasis on apparatus and techniciues that would broaden the usefulness of radio service. This work led early into exoeri- ments with reflections of radio from •June 18. 1943 objects, and soon thereafter into radar. Ever since this pioneering I)eriod, Dr. Irving Wolff of the Lab- oratories has been associated with research work on many forms of radar, and much of this research has been under his direct super- vision. During the early work, Rene A. Braden and Dr. E. G. Linder were associated with Dr. Wolff and de- veloped the apparatus used for the reflection tests. Later, George W. Leek joined the radar research group and has continued in this work. When the aircraft project began, Dr. W. D. Hershberger, R. M. Smith and C. E. Hallmark un- dertook this phase of the develop- ment. Following the early research re- sults, RCA engineers began the de- velopment necessary to make equip- ment ready for practical use. The group responsible for this and for engineering the first service radar equipment included John B. Cole- man, J. Edwin Love, John E. Evans, C. A. Gunther, George Charrier and L. J. Wolf. In the course of its development, many other RCA engineers have made notable contributions to radar. When secrecy restrictions are lifted, it will be possible to re- veal some of the results and to give credit to the men who achieved them. Thus the American radio indus- try, as the War Production Board has pointed out, has ]iroduced "the once-secret weapon which i)rovides data to aim a gun accurately on a distant enemy plane invisible to a telescope." What of radar's future? Does it have peacetime apjilications? Commending the scientists and engineers of the Radio Corporation of America for the vital part they have played in the development of radar, and in producing it for the Nation's use at a time when it was essentially needed, David Sarnoff, President of RCA, told them that RCA is proud of their achieve- ment. "Television and radar add new dimensions to radio," said Mr. Sar- noff, "wireless telegraphy was its first dimension and broadcasting its second. Application of these new developments of radio to peace, opens new fields of service on land, at sea, and in the air. "Radio instruments will emerge from the war almost human in their capabilities. They will possess not only a sense of direction, but a sense of detection that will open new avenues of service. The radio direction-finder, which heretofore had only an ear, now also has an eye. The safety of aviation will be greatly enhanced for the aviator will be able to see the ground through clouds or darkness. By the scientific application of the radio echo, the radio "eye" will avert collisions, while the radio altimeter will measure the altitude and warn of mountains ahead or structures below. "American inventive genius has contributed much to the creation and perfection of radar as a great offensive and defensive weapon. I am happy to report that RCA Lab- oratories have been in the fore- front of radar research and devel- opment. The radio-electron tube was the key to its api)lication. I believe it now can be said that by the use of radio and especially radar, the United Nations have been able to avert many disasters, save precious lives, and inflict severe damage upon their enemies." ^^Jsrns^^^'