Brief review of education and work: interest in carbon dioxide; program administration under David Slade at Atomic Energy Commission/Department of Energy, ca. 1974-1982, and development of Slade's climate change research program; advice from A. Weinberg; studies at NOAA Air Resources Laboratory of carbon dioxide emissions; controversies over fate of carbon dioxide.
Focussed interview on Elsasser's career in the United States. His decision to emigrate, 1935; on choosing geophysics; California Institute of Technology (Robert Millikan, Theodore von Kármán), 1936-1940; connection between meteorology and work in magnetism; inception of the idea of the dynamo effect (Albert Einstein).
Discusses first impressions of Maurice Ewing and his awareness of Lamont; describes in detail the dispute between Maurice Ewing and President McGill, paying particular attention to the role of Polykarp Kusch and Bruce Bassett. Describes his role as provost and the actions and discussions he initiated in order to stabilize Lamont during Ewing's departure; discusses the concerns about foundation revenue being lost. Discusses the process of replacing Ewing and ultimately choosing Manik Talwani; describes how Columbia finally overcame their financial crisis with a three year plan. Discusses Ewing's strengths and weaknesses as director of Lamont; describes how he and others secured Lamont's future despite Ewing's departure to Houston.
Childhood in Germany and family background — competitive spirit; war years — internment and radar work with Bondi and Hoyle (1942-1945) at Cambridge — development of theory of hearing and steady state theory; at Greenwich (1952-1956) — research on lunar surface and terrestrial dynamics; positions at Harvard and Cornell — involvement with Arecibo; involvement with governmental agencies including NSF and NASA — changes in government funding. A major part of the interview covers the development and reception of the steady date theory.
Discusses his work with Lamont-Doherty Observatory, on the research ships, climatology. Prominently mentioned are: Maurice Ewing, Bruce Heezen, Henry Kohler, Ludas Angelo.
Discusses his work with Lamont-Doherty Observatory, on the research ships, climatology. Prominently mentioned are: Maurice Ewing, Bruce Heezen, Henry Kohler, Ludas Angelo.
Discusses his work with Lamont-Doherty Observatory, on the research ships, climatology. Prominently mentioned are: Maurice Ewing, Bruce Heezen, Henry Kohler, Ludas Angelo.
This interview covers selected aspects of Friedman's career at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). It traces the development of upper air research at NRL through the International Geophysical Year (IGY, 1957-1958), and then outlines subsequent attempts at international coorperation in geophysical research. The latter discussion serves as the basis to explore the role of "big" science, and its relationship to individual and "little" science.
Born April 20, 1923 in Orleans, Vermont; discusses family life and childhood. Describes entering Princeton in 1940 for undergraduate education in physics; discusses joining the Navy in 1943 as a radar specialist. Comments on how his Navy experience helped his later career at Lamont; discusses being convinced by his older brother to pursue geophysics at Columbia. Describes the research involved in the sinking of the Scorpion in May 1968; comments on the tensions between Maurice Ewing and Bruce Heezen. Describes the significance and frustrations of his Bermuda station work; discusses the formation of the Palisades Geophysical Institute. Comments on his retirement from PGI in 1972 and his subsequent classified projects for ONR.
Born April 20, 1923 in Orleans, Vermont; discusses family life and childhood. Describes entering Princeton in 1940 for undergraduate education in physics; discusses joining the Navy in 1943 as a radar specialist. Comments on how his Navy experience helped his later career at Lamont; discusses being convinced by his older brother to pursue geophysics at Columbia. Describes the research involved in the sinking of the Scorpion in May 1968; comments on the tensions between Maurice Ewing and Bruce Heezen. Describes the significance and frustrations of his Bermuda station work; discusses the formation of the Palisades Geophysical Institute. Comments on his retirement from PGI in 1972 and his subsequent classified projects for ONR.