Robert N. Hall
Robert N. Hall | |
---|---|
Born | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | December 25, 1919
Died | November 7, 2016 | (aged 96)
Alma mater | California Institute of Technology |
Known for |
|
Awards | Charles Christian Lauritsen |
Other academic advisors | William Alfred Fowler |
Robert Noel Hall (December 25, 1919 – November 7, 2016) was an American engineer and applied physicist. He demonstrated the first
Biography
Robert N. Hall was born on December 25, 1919, in New Haven, Connecticut. He was first inspired by his inventor uncle, who showed him the wonders of small inventions and experimentation. After long studies at his local library, Hall decided to attempt controlled experiments of his own with his mother's approval. He built an 8-inch telescope, which produced a close-up view of Saturn. Later on, an interviewer from the California Institute of Technology visited him and offered a scholarship to attend the university. Hall studied there for three years but had to leave for financial reasons. After working at Lockheed Aircraft as a tester, he returned to Caltech to finish up his studies and obtain his physics degree. Then General Electric hired him as a test engineer at Schenectady, NY. After four years at G.E., under the advice of Harper North, Hall obtained a Research Council Fellowship and returned to Caltech. He graduated in 1948 with his Ph.D. and returned to G.E. Schenectady research labs that summer.[1][2]
While at G.E. during World War II, he developed a
While studying the characteristics of
Hall was elected to the
References
- ^ "Production of high intensity proton beams". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Alhart, Todd (December 1, 2016). "Edison's Heir: Bob Hall's Invention Lit Up The Future". General Electric Company.
- ^ Hecker, Don R. (May 10, 2018). "Robert N. Hall, 96, Whose Inventions Are Everywhere, Is Dead". New York Times. Retrieved May 11, 2018. Based on a 2012 interview with Hall.
- .
- ^ "Robert Noel Hall Obituary". Albany Times Union. November 9, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2017. Death notice published by Hall's family.
Further reading
- Hall, Robert N.; Ward, Jack (2001). "Early Transistor History at GE". Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- Hall, Robert N.; Choi, Hyungsub (March 5, 2004). "Oral-History:Robert N. Hall".
- Invent Now Hall of Fame, "Robert N. Hall", accessed March 6, 2006.
- Lemelson-MIT Program, "R. N. Hall", accessed March 6, 2006.
- Hall, Robert N., "Laser 50th Anniversary: Robert N. Hall recalls the diode laser" on YouTube, 2010.
- Mahan, Gerald D. (2017). "Robert N. Hall" (PDF). Biographical Memoirs. National Academy of Sciences.