L. T. E. Thompson

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Louis Ten Eyck Thompson
Born(1891-10-24)October 24, 1891
DiedDecember 13, 1978(1978-12-13) (aged 87)
Other namesTec
Scientific career
FieldsBallistics

Louis Ten Eyck Thompson (October 24, 1891 in South Haven, Michigan[1] – December 13, 1978)[2] known as Dr. Tommy[3]) was an American physicist interested in thermodynamics and ballistics and as an expert working for the United States Navy from 1920 to 1954.[4] He was the first technical director at the Naval Ordnance Test Station in California, where he was involved in work on the Manhattan Project, helping design the "gun" used to initiate nuclear explosives,[3] and most involved in the development of rockets for naval and marine fighter aircraft.[4]

Thompson received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kalamazoo College in 1914, Master of Arts degree in 1915 and Ph.D. in 1917 from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. During 1917–1919 he was an assistant professor and fellow at Clark University, performing research on thermodynamics and ballistics.[1]

The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake named an award in his honor.[4]

References[edit]

Citations
  1. ^ a b J. McKeen Cattell and Dean R. Brimhall, ed. (1921). American men of science (Third ed.). Garrison, New York: The Science Press. p. 682. Thompson Dr Louis T(en) E(yck), Clark University, Worcester, Mass. Physics. South Haven, Mich, October 24, 1991. B.S, Kalamazoo, 14; A.M, Clark, 15 Ph.D. 17. Instr. and asst. prof. physics, Clark, 17–19, research fellow ballistic inst. and indust. research laboratories, 19–, Nat. Research Council fellow 20– Assoc. Physical Soc. Dynamics; thermodynamics; ballistics.
  2. ^ "Louis Thompson Dies, Was Dahlgren Physicist". The Free Lance-Star. December 14, 1978. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  3. ^ a b Christman, Al (1995). "Making It Happen". Invention & Technology Magazine. 11 (1). Retrieved 9 February 2011.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b c History of China lake
Bibliography