1905-1967

American physicist and engineer who focused on fundamental geophysical research. His early naval duty involved Antarctic exploration and development of radar, navigation systems, and aircraft electronics. Vice president of the committee of the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), he was the first to measure the extent and density of the ionosphere, describing all aspects of radio wave propagation. Later research centered on the origin and development of Earth's atmosphere, culminating with a theory, co-authored by L.C. Marshall, to describe the evolution of the atmospheres of the inner planets of the solar system.