George Pake
 |
George Pake | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1, 1924 |
| Died | March 4, 2004(aged 79) |
| Alma mater | Carnegie Institute of Technology Harvard University |
| Awards | IRI Medal(1986) National Medal of Science(1987) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physicist |
| Institutions | Washington University in St. Louis Stanford University Xerox PARC |
| Doctoral advisor | Edward Mills Purcell |
George E. Pake(April 1, 1924 – March 4, 2004) was a physicist and research executive primarily known for helping foundXerox PARC.
Early life[edit]
Pake was raised in Kent, Ohio.[1]His father was an English instructor atKent State University.[2]: 3 His mother was a schoolteacher.[citation needed]
Pake was exempted from service in theU.S. Armed Forcesduring World War II due toscoliosis.He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from theCarnegie Institute of Technologyand his doctorate in physics atHarvard Universityin 1948.
Career[edit]
Much of his early research atHarvard Universityfocused on the topic ofnuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopy. There, he discovered the multiplet structure produced by the dipolar coupling of two nuclear spins.[3]In his honor, this multiplet is now known as thePake doubletand forms the basis for NMR-based inter-atomic distance measurements and molecular structure determination.
After four years as aphysicsprofessor atWashington University in St. Louis,Pake became the head of the physics department at age 28.[4]He later went on to become provost of the university from 1962 to 1970 before leaving to serve as founding director ofXerox PARC.
Pake served on thePresident's Science Advisory Committee(1965-1969).[5]He was president of theAmerican Physical Societyin 1977.
PARC assembled a first-rate collection of research talent, especially in the area of computer science. During Pake's years running Xerox PARC, the research center invented thelaser printerand pioneered the use of a computer "desktop" which functioned by clicking on "icons." This has since become the computer industry standard.
Despite advocacy by Pake, theXerox Corporationnever chose to open a personal computer division. Pake left Xerox in 1986 to direct the nonprofitInstitute for Research on Learningin Palo Alto.[6]He remained director emeritus until the time of his death.[7]
Late in life, Pake began writing two different books, both with the collaboratorAndrew Szanton.Pake's death, of heart failure on March 4, 2004, inTucson,Arizona,interrupted both book projects.
Awards[edit]
In 1986, Pake was awarded the illustriousIRI Medalfrom theIndustrial Research Institutefor recognition of his leadership in the field of technology and innovation. Pake was also a recipient of theNational Medal of Sciencein 1987 and continued to visit PARC long after his 1986 retirement from Xerox.
George E. Pake Prize[edit]
Since 1984, theAmerican Physical Societyhas been awarding the George E. Pake Prize, endowed in 1983 by theXerox Corporation,to recognize outstanding work by physicists combining original research accomplishments with leadership in the management of research or development in industry.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Pake married Marjorie Semon on May 31, 1947; they had four children: Warren, Bruce, Cathie and Steve.[2]: 20
References[edit]
- ^"George Pake - National Academy of Sciences"(PDF).
- ^abSlichter, Charles P. (2009)."George Edward Pake 1924—2004"(PDF).nasonline.org.Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences.RetrievedJanuary 17,2018.
- ^Pake, G. E. (April 1948)."Nuclear Resonance Absorption in Hydrated Crystals: Fine Structure of the Proton Line".The Journal of Chemical Physics.16(4): 327–336.Bibcode:1948JChPh..16..327P.doi:10.1063/1.1746878.ISSN0021-9606.
- ^Markoff, John (March 11, 2004)."George Pake, Computer Pioneer, Dies at 79".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 17,2018.
- ^"United States. President's Science Advisory Committee".Niels Bohr Library & Archives.Retrieved1 August2018.
- ^Pham, Alex (March 11, 2004)."George E. Pake, 79; Physicist Directed Xerox's Famous Palo Alto Research Center".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJanuary 17,2018.
- ^"George Pake Godfather of the computer revolution".independent.co.uk.The Independent. March 15, 2004.RetrievedJanuary 17,2018.
- ^"George E. Pake Prize".aps.org.American Physical Society. 2018.RetrievedJanuary 17,2018.
External links[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1924 births
- 2004 deaths
- People from Kent, Ohio
- People from Jefferson, Ohio
- 20th-century American physicists
- Carnegie Mellon University alumni
- Harvard University alumni
- National Medal of Science laureates
- Washington University in St. Louis faculty
- Washington University physicists
- Physicists from Missouri
- Scientists from St. Louis
- Scientists at PARC (company)
- Fellows of the American Physical Society
- Members of the National Academy of Medicine
- Presidents of the American Physical Society