PROCEEDINGS OF THE IRE

Browder Julian ThompsonEDWARD L. BOWLES, FELLOW, IRE

BROWDER J. THOMPSON

NHE name of Browder J. Thompson, recipient of

T the Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Prize in 1938and Fellow of the Institute of Radio Engineers, is

known to many through his numerous articles in theprofessional literature of electronics, particularly in thefield of vacuum tubes. His contributions to the art, bothnumerous and significant, began a remarkably shorttime after his graduation from the University of Wash-ington in 1926 and continued throughout his brief butconspicuous career which ended tragically in his deathin the summer of 1944 while serving his country. Theparticular mission which cost him his life was one of hisown determination in the interest of applying electronictechniques to the interdiction of enemy transport atnight.

In the span of not quite twenty years, B. J., as hebecame known to his friends, had lived a full and pro-

ductive life. He enjoyed the satisfaction of truly pro-

fessional accomplishment wherein he perceived andsolved many vexing problems-problems which hadescaped the intellect of others. He had known thesatisfaction of applying his particular perceptive skills,his unusual capacity for ingenious simplification ofproblems, and his inventive resourcefulness. Aside fromthese accomplishments, I suspect, and I speak as a

close friend, this man valued above all the friendshipshe had attracted in the course of his life.One of Thompson's first contributions was to the

realization of a novel space charge grid type of tubewith unusually high insulation to act as an electrome-ter device. This new tube was to fill a great need in re-

search for means of measuring minute currents. Thearticle by Thompson describing one development of

this tube attributed to it a capability of measuring10-17 ampere. The lucid, direct analysis of the problemsto be solved in achieving such a tube was to becomesymbolic of this man's ability to get at the meat of aproblem and to express the critical issues with discerningincisiveness. His next bold step was to develop whatbecame the "acorn" tube of the trade. Here was anoutstanding contribution to ultra-high-frequency tech-niques where it had been generally conceded there waslittle hope for the extension of the capability of triodesthrough innovation. As Dr. Engstrom put it recently,"The production of this tube was an important factorin breaking the log jam which theretofore had held upuhf development."'Here was a demonstration of what could be accomp-

lished in what was accepted as a worn out field byintelligent, untrammeled analysis and an awareness oflimiting parameters including transit time.There was other research and publication on screen

grid tubes, power pentodes, transit time and noise-contributions which in many respects shaped the art.This constructive curiosity, this feel of the perfectionistand record of achievement coupled with his gifted per-sonality blessed with deep human understanding andethical standards led inevitably to multiple responsi-bilities of greater moment. Browder's leadership was in-spirational. Many were the products of his intellect inthe abstract and in substance. Always he had the finequality of giving others the feeling that they themselveshad done the job.

I Engstrom, Transcript of Testimony, Television Inquiry, SenateInterstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, p. 1429; March 15,1956.

April440

Bow1es: Browder Julian Thompson

Thompson had been recruited by the General Elec-tric to work on test. He was soon heading a small groupin the Vacuum-Tube Engineering Department at Sche-nectady. From 1931-1940 he was associated with theRadiotron Division of the RCA Manufacturing Com-pany in charge of the Research Section, Research andEngineering Department. Here he was engaged inultra-high-frequency tube development including tele-vision tubes in their many aspects. In 1940 he becameassociate director of the department, then ResearchDirector of the new RCA Laboratories at Princeton,N. J.Browder J. Thompson was a genteel soul of noble

character and broad understanding. Though exactingin his requirements of others, as well as himself, he wastolerant and sympathetic. His every action was char-acterized by an enviable urbanity. Those who wereprivileged to know him were ever impressed by his quiet,reasoned approach to a problem. His precision of ex-pression was impressive, yet it was simplicity itself,without pretense or embellishment or affectation. Hisdress, as if reflecting his inner mind, was likewise precise,correct and without affectation. The dignified mannerwhen necessary, along with the well-measured Homberg,always appeared in character and in keeping with theman. There was ready always a contagious smileprompted often by a subtle insight into human natureand an indomitable sense of humor.

Browder Julian Thompson was born in Roanoke,La., on August 14, 1904. He went to private school inLake Charles, La., where he lived with his father, B.J.Thompson Senior, his mother, Julia Thompson, and anolder sister, Marguerite, until he was nine. The familymigrated to Minot, N. Dak., where he was graduatedfrom high school at the age of fifteen. In this period hismother operated a small business to provide for thefamily and plan for the children's future. Finances werehelped in this period by B. J.'s part-time job in a haber-dashery establishment. It was a period of hard workfor all, brightened by the influence of a mother who hadthe stimulating quality of facing adversity and makinglife, family life, interesting and deeply rewarding. In thisperiod young Browder was given responsibility for hisolder sister-a task he evidently took seriously, if I mayjudge from his sister's interpolations in response to myrequest for information on the family's history. Thereseems to have been an early inception of the sense ofresponsibility which was to be a great strength inThompson's life. At every step in this struggle, it wasa model struggle of a healthy family with a desire to live.There came the'time for University traning. Thomp-

son had dreamed of M.I.T. but this was out of thequestion because of the expense. The solution was topull up stakes in Minot and go to Seattle, where thetwo children could attend the University of Washing-

mined minds only as far as Spokane. Here they settlecldown, the mother with her shop, the children working inthe fields. Seattle was ultimately reached. Working hisway through school, including time in Alaska on rail-roads and other constructive interludes, Brow(lerThompson was graduated in 1926.

In checking dates to explain hiatuses, I found thatBrowder apparently was sensitive about his compara-

tive youth in the G. E. environment. He may have feltthat being thought of as older than his looks impliedwould help him professionally. On the occasion of an

office party on his twenty-sixth birthday, his sisterMarguerite was sought out by the group to give themthe number of candles the cake should bear. She leftthem to guess. The cake appeared at the appropriatemoment as a 30 candle-power job. He did not destroythe illusion, nor did his sister betray him.

In the course of the last war, I was drafted by Secre-tary Stimson to help him in the application of radar andother electronic techniques to military operations. Myresponsibilities went beyond my ability to carry them.I therefore sought assistance on selected problems.There were urgent problems needing expert attention

having to do with magnetron development and procure-

ment and the need for understanding of coordination oftubes and radar equipment programming. Another criti-cal problem was that of proximity fuses. Someone atSecretary level was needed to make a thorough exami-nation in these two areas. I could think of no person

better qualified for this task than B. J. Thompson. Con-sultation with Dr. Engstrom and Thompson himself re-

sulted in the appointment of this man as Expert Con-sultant to the Secretary of War. His letter of assign-

ment, bearing my signature, is dated September 19,1943. The memorandum which Thompson prepared on

Magnetron Requirements and Facilities, March 9, 1944,proved a masterpiece of comprehension and skillfulhandling of an extraordinarily involved and sensitiveinterservice-industry problem.The effectiveness of Thompson's performance led me

to give him also the assignment of auditing the guidedmissile activities, some of which showed promise ofapplication if adequately supported. Soon Thompsonhad got to the bottom of this confused problem andwas ready with constructive recommendations.By June of 1944 an important operational problem

had arisen. Military progress in Italy by the Allieshad resulted in the interdiction of rail supplies to theenemy front. Therefore all substantial movement was

by transportation on the highways by night. Criticalto our imminent success was the destruction of this lineof supply. Questions were raised as to how to do the jobby aircraft applying radar or other technological meth-ods. Following a conference with the Secretary andGeneral Marshall, I conferred with Thompson on the

ton. In the initial move, funds took these three deter-

1957 4-41

subject. He expressed not simply a desire to work on

44 ,PR & CFJIDIA7G3 F , 'llt1IREr

this problem but a vital interest in it. He aske(d to beJ)le to go over to Italy to make his own examiniationi ofthe problem. I made arrangements with the TheaterCommander and the Tactical Air Commander so thathie would have a free hand in studying the problem.On his arrival in England, I was dispatched the fol-

lowing message in hurried pencil on a page torn fromhis notebook:

At our last conference before he left Washington,Thompson put into my hands an extract from a com-

munication he had just given his mother:

"If anything happens to me on this job, you can

have the satisfaction of knowing that it was in theactive service of our country and that I would never

hiesitate at anything I should do because of risks. Youtaught me that. I'd rather die this way than rnostothers. "

In the late afternoon of July 4, 1944, Thompson pre-sented his credentials to the Commanding Officer of the57 Bombardment Group operating out of the GrossetoAvea, Italy. He expressed specific interest in technicalaids, including radar, for the location of tactical targetsduring night flying and conditions of poor visibility. Ishall quote from a report,

"Dr. Thompson indicated an ardent desire to seefor himself the problems confronting tactical unitsin locating targets at night. Dr. Thompson indicateda strong desire to participate personally in an opera-tional flight over enemy territory. It was suggested toDr. Thompson that he participate in a local trainingflight scheduled for the evening, but Dr. Thompsonstated such a flight would be of no value to him. Hesaid in substance, 'I should like to go over the linesto observe enemy traffic on the roads. It would be ofno value to me to see our own traffic with lights on,as I can see that in the States. I want to see enemytraffic operating under blackout conditions.' He statedonly by a personal flight could he get the true pictureof visibility conditions over target areas under chang-ing conditions of clouds and moonlight and that sucha flight would greatly aid him in successfully carryingout the mission which had been given him by theWar Department."

Thompson was briefed on the combat operations forthe intruder missions of that evening. He chose theflight which was over the area which involved attacksonly on road movements. He took off around 10 P.m.The weather over the target area was not hazardous,there was a full moon and scattered clouds. Only lightand inaccurate flak had been encountered in this area inthe past. There had been no trouble with enemy air-craft. Five other similar aircraft were assigned mis-sions in the same or adjoining areas. Two were in thesame area as the Thompson plane. All but the Thomp-son plane returned. The returning craft reported noenemy aircraft, very slight and ineffective flak. Nofires were noted that could be that of a burning aircraft.

Later information indicated that the missing planewent down at Pontedera, near the airstrip-four or fivemiles from Florence. Browder Thompson's body isinterred in the U. S. Military Cemetary at VADA.Of this man, Secretary Stimson observed:

"It is a great tribute to him that, under no othercompulsion than his own great desire to do all in hispower to aid in the solution of a most urgent prob-lem facing our own Army and those of our allies,and thereby to assist in bringing the war to an earlyconclusion he deemed it necessary to do as he did."

44 -/ A prii

7 . 14..7 0.

Hinman: Portrait of Harry Diamond

RECIPIENTS OF THE BROWDER J. THOMPSONMEMORIAL PRIZE

Awarded to an author under 30 years of age at date ofsubmission of manuscript, for a paper recently publishedby the IRE which constitutes the best combination oftechnical contribution and presentation of the subject.

G. M. Lee.............C. L. Dolph:...........W. H. Huggins.........R. V. Pound...........

1946194719481949

J. F. Hull .............. 1950A. W. Randalls......... 1950A. B. Macnee .......... 1951H. W. Welch, Jr........ 1952D. A. Buck ............ 1957

Richard C. Booton, Jr.. . 1953R. L. Petritz ........... 1954Blanchard D. Smith, Jr.. 1955Jack E. Bridges......... 1956

Portrait of Harry DiamondWILBUR S. HINMAN, JR., SENIOR MEMBER, IRE

HARRY DIAMOND

HrlrARRY DIAMOND was born in Russia on Feb-H ruary 12, 1900, and emigrated to the United

States as a child. He was graduated from theMassachusetts Institute of Technology in 1922 and re-ceived the Master's degree in electrical engineeringfrom Lehigh University in 1925. From 1927 until hisdeath in 1948, his career was a long succession of majortechnical achievements in radio and electronics. He wasactive in IRE affairs throughout his life. The HarryDiamond Memorial Award was created by his manyprofessional friends and colleagues because they be-lieved Mr. Diamond typified the ideal public servantin the technical activities of the Government.

In retrospect, one is inclined to dwell on Diamond'ssuccesses, his brilliance, his resourcefulness, and hisresolute qualities, and to ignore the more human quali-ties which made the man. These other qualities are the

ones which made him such a genial companion andwhich made for the strong loyalties of his associates andsubordinates. These are all part of the portrait, but thetechnical record comes first.

Dellinger, Pratt, Lowell, and Dunmore had alreadydevised the first radio range beacon system for thenation's airways when Harry Diamond joined thestaff of the National Bureau of Standards at the littleairport at College Park, Md. After one year, when Prattturned to other work, Diamond was made chief of theactivity, and new developments continued to evolve ata rapid rate until 1933, when the work was terminatedby transfer to the Aeronautics Branch of the Depart-ment of Commerce.This work resulted in the establishment of the whole

system of radio range beacons and locations whichmark the airways. In this period, the shielded ignition

1957 443