Reminiscences of Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt, 1961

Biographical Note

Radio physicist, meteorologist

Scope and Contents

Childhood and education, Scotland; meteorological work, World War I; radio and static studies, direction finders; Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; studies of nature of atmospherics; simultaneity of technical developments; memorandum on detection of radiation, 1935; Baudsie Manor, training observers, operation research; political pressures; Air Ministry staff, 1936; airborne radar; recruiting young scientists; United States interest in radar; planned position indicator; target finding, H2S; "Window"; interallied intelligence missions; secondary radar devices; Telecommunications Research Establishment; V-1 and V-2 raids; Royal Commission on awards to inventors; impressions of many political and military figures, notably Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Stafford Cripps, Frederick Lindemann, Henry Tizard, Ernest Rutherford, Arthur Balfour, Richard Haldane. The digital version, created from the microfiche edition, also includes John T. Mason's 1964 interview with Watson-Watt. Subjects addressed in the 1964 interview include: consulting with United States military leaders during World War II; post-war activities in civil aviation, marine navigation; scientific adviser to British government ministries; Pugwash conferences; travel; writings; Center for Study of Democratic Institutions

Subjects

• Great Britain--Politics and government--1936-1945.
• Interviews.
• Mason, John T., 1909-1998, interviewer.
• Meteorologists--Great Britain--Interviews.
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Physicists--Great Britain--Interviews.
• Radar--Great Britain.
• Radar defense networks.
• Watson-Watt, Robert Alexander, Sir, 1892-1973--Interviews.
• World War, 1939-1945--Communications.

Access Conditions

Copyright by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, 1980