Bernard M. Oliver
Encyclopedia
Bernard M. Oliver aka Barney Oliver, was a scientist
who made contributions in many fields, including radar
, television
, and computer
s. He was the founder and director of Hewlett Packard (HP) laboratories until his retirement in 1981. He is also a recognized pioneer in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)
. Oliver was president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
in 1965. In 1986, Oliver was a National Medal of Science
recipient for Engineering Science and on February 11, 2004 it was announced that Oliver had been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
who made contributions in many fields, including radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, and computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s. He was the founder and director of Hewlett Packard (HP) laboratories until his retirement in 1981. He is also a recognized pioneer in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)
SETI
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence is the collective name for a number of activities people undertake to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. Some of the most well known projects are run by the SETI Institute. SETI projects use scientific methods to search for intelligent life...
. Oliver was president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...
in 1965. In 1986, Oliver was a National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
recipient for Engineering Science and on February 11, 2004 it was announced that Oliver had been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
.
Scientific contributions
- Developed pulse-code modulationPulse-code modulationPulse-code modulation is a method used to digitally represent sampled analog signals. It is the standard form for digital audio in computers and various Blu-ray, Compact Disc and DVD formats, as well as other uses such as digital telephone systems...
(PCM) with John R. Pierce and Claude Shannon - Headed the HP calculatorsHP calculatorsHP calculators are various calculators manufactured by the Hewlett-Packard company over the years.- History :In the 1960s, Hewlett-Packard was becoming a diversified electronics company with product lines in electronic test equipment, scientific instrumentation, and medical electronics, and was...
development team
Chairs, foundations, and awards
- In 2004 he was inducted into The National Inventors Hall of Fame. http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/1_3_0_induction_oliver.asp
- In 1997 the SETI Institute established a newly endowed position, the Bernard M. Oliver Chair. http://www.coseti.org/olivechr.htm
- Bernard Oliver Memorial Fund http://www.planetarysystems.org/oliver.html
- National Medal of ScienceNational Medal of ScienceThe National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
, List of National Medal of Science winners, Engineering 1986 - Oliver Observing StationOliver Observing StationThe Oliver Observing Station, named after Barney Oliver, is a privately owned, professional astronomical observatory owned and operated by Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy...
, observatory of the Monterey Institute for Research in AstronomyMonterey Institute for Research in AstronomyThe Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy is a privately established, non-profit, professional organization for astronomical education and research, near Monterey, California. It is located adjacent to the campus of the California State University, Monterey Bay, within the city limits of...
External links
- HP news release
- An Interview with BERNARD MORE OLIVER OH 97 (pdf) Conducted by Arthur L. Norberg on 9 August 1985, 14 April 1986, Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, CA)
- SETI Institute biography
- Bernard Oliver Memorial Fund