Herbert E. Grier
Herbert E. Grier | |
|---|---|
 Grier at the firing console duringOperation Plumbbobin 1957 | |
| Born | Herbert Earl Grier July 3, 1911 Chicago, Illinois,U.S. |
| Died | March 17, 1999(aged 87) La Jolla,California,U.S. |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Electrical engineer |
| Awards | |
Herbert Earl Grier(July 3, 1911 — March 17, 1999) was an American electrical engineer. While starting his engineering career withMITduring the 1930s to 1940s, Grier co-invented a miniaturestroboscopeand handheldflashwithHarold EdgertonandKenneth Germeshausen.During World War II, Grier built a firing mechanism during theManhattan Projectthat was used in theFat Manbomb.
After he, Edgerton and Germeshausen createdEG&Gin 1947, Grier was involved in several nuclear tests includingOperation SandstoneandOperation Ranger.With EG&G, Grier was president until 1976 and served as a consultant from 1983 to 1994. Apart from electrical engineering, he took part inNASAsafety boards that assessedSkylaband the preparation of the firstSpace Shuttle.Grier was awarded theNASA Distinguished Service Medalin 1985 and theNational Medal of Sciencein 1989.
Early life and education[edit]
Grier was born on July 3, 1911, inChicago,Illinois.At the age of eleven, Grier and his family left Chicago to live inNew York City.[1]For his post-secondary education, Grier graduated with aBachelor of ScienceandMaster of Sciencefrom theMassachusetts Institute of Technologyin the early 1930s.[2]
Career[edit]
Grier started his career as anelectrical engineerfor MIT from 1934 to 1947.[2]During this time period, Grier co-invented a miniaturestroboscopealongsideHarold EdgertonandKenneth Germeshausenin 1934. Years later, Grier and his colleagues created aKodakhandheldflashfor newspaper photographers in 1940.[3]While working onaerial photographyfor Edgerton during World War II, Grier joined theManhattan Projectand built the firing mechanism used in theFat Manbomb.[4][5]
After formingEG&Gwith Edgerton and Germeshausen in 1947, Grier was involved in nuclear testings between the late 1940s and early 1950s. These includedOperation Sandstone,Operation RangerandOperation Ivy.[6] With EG&G, Grier was the company's president until 1976 and was a consultant from 1983 to 1994. Other executive roles Grier had were president of GEC Geonuclear Company from 1965 to 1983 and chairman of Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Company from 1969 to 1971.[7]Outside of electrical engineering, Grier was selected for a 1973NASAadvisory board on safety that reviewedSkylab.[8]He also led a 1980 safety committee that assessed the preparation of the first NASASpace Shuttle.[9]
Awards and honors[edit]
Grier was a recipient of theNASA Distinguished Service Medalin 1985 and theNational Medal of Sciencein 1989.[1][10]
Personal life[edit]
Grier died on March 17, 1999, inLa Jolla,California.He was married and had three children.[11]
References[edit]
- ^abKrapp, Kristine M., ed. (1998)."Herbert E. Grier, Jr.".Notable Twentieth Century Scientists.Vol. 5 (Supplement ed.). Gale. p. 183.ISBN0-8103-9181-3.
- ^ab"Grier, Herbert Earl".Who's Who in America.Vol. 1 (53rd ed.). New Providence, New Jersey: Marquis Who's Who. 1999. p. 1747.ISBN0-8379-0192-8.
- ^O'Gorman, Ned; Hamilton, Kevin (2016). "EG&G and the Deep Media of Timing, Firing, and Exposing".Journal of War & Culture Studies.9(2): 185, 187–89.doi:10.1080/17526272.2016.1190205.S2CID159826498.
- ^O'Gorman & Hamilton 2016 p. 192.
- ^"Nuclear Blasts Were His Bag For Many Years".Nevada State Journal.1 June 1976. p. 3.
- ^Hall, Michael D. (January 13, 2017)."Remembering EG&G, Part IV Pioneering Days".National Atomic Testing Museum.RetrievedNovember 25,2019.
- ^"Grier, Herbert E.".American men & women of science.Vol. 3 (19th ed.). New Providence, New Jersey: R.R Bowker. 1994. p. 394.ISBN0-8352-3466-5.
- ^"Herbert Grier appointed to NASA safety panel".Lowell Sun.January 26, 1973. p. 13.
- ^"Space shuttle A-OK, panel report says".Billings Gazette.January 17, 1980. p. 13–A.
- ^Clason, Lauren."Herbert E. Grier".National Science & Technology Medals Foundation.Retrieved25 November2019.
- ^"Herbert Grier; EG&G co-founder, specialist in stroboscopic lighting".Boston Globe.21 March 1999. p. F8.
- 1911 births
- 1999 deaths
- Scientists from Chicago
- Scientists from New York City
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni
- American electrical engineers
- 20th-century American inventors
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- American company founders
- American business executives
- Manhattan Project people
- NASA people
- Kodak people
- National Medal of Science laureates
- Recipients of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal