Words from an old timer -- Physics and Engineering Physics

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Date Posted: 16:11:10 08/28/00 Mon
Author: Harry J King
Subject: Words from an old timer

My name is Harry King. I graduated in Engineering Physics in 1956 and got my Masters Degree working for DR Katz in 1957. You can find my picture in the Physics Club photos of the era and my name on the E L Harrington plaque in the Physics Building. I got a PhD from McMaster and the joined the space program that was just getting underway in the USA at that time.
I could not imagine where my education at U of S would lead me. Those of you graduating today have the world before you to investigate and engineer.
My first program was to design and build one of the first ion engines for space flight. You create a magnetically confined plasma and accelerate the ions as a directed beam to produce a small, but continuous thrust. The first system flew a few years ago - 25 years after research first began.
I worked at the Research Labs of HUGHES AIRCRAFT where many novel prolects were in progress. My next task was to develop a very high power swithch for the power transmission industry. It worked but was too expensive.
Next I was program manager on a project to develop a precision electron beam lithography machine to write features in photoresist on silicon wafers smaller than those possible with optical systems.
About that time General Motors bought Hughes and I managed to secure a key position transferring Hughes technology to GM. My team designed and built the first Head Up Displays to be used in commercial automobiles. I have one in my Buick. My final job before retirement in 1993 was to form a company internal to Hughes called Hughes Power Control Sysyems that designed and built the electronics for GM's electric car, the EV1.
All that based on those crazy lab experiments!!
I wish all you new grads the very best.
HJK

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Replies:

Re: Words from an old timer -- Brian Soloducha, 19:43:03 08/29/00 Tue