Henry Kolm
Encyclopedia
Henry Herbert Kolm was an American
physicist
associated with MIT for many years, with extensive expertise in high-power magnets and strong magnetic fields.
. As such his goal was the creation and application of high magnetic field
s. He has also worked on magnetic levitation
for transit applications and on various electromagnetic space launch concepts including the MIT Mass Driver 1
in 1976–1977, continuing into the 1980s.
Over the years, he worked with Francis Bitter
, Gerard K. O'Neill, and Eric Drexler, among others.
Kolm was quoted as saying, "We got more information out of a German general with a game of chess or Ping-Pong than they do today, with their torture", in recounting his experience interrogating Colonel Rudolf Hess, Hitler's personal military advisor (not to be confused with Rudolf Hess
, Hitler's deputy) over a chessboard.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physicist
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
associated with MIT for many years, with extensive expertise in high-power magnets and strong magnetic fields.
Visiting Scientist at MIT
Henry Kolm was a long-time associate of the Francis Bitter National Magnet LaboratoryFrancis Bitter
Francis Bitter was an American physicist.Bitter invented the Bitter plate used in resistive magnets . He is the one who thought of using dust to visualize a magnetic field...
. As such his goal was the creation and application of high magnetic field
Magnetic field
A magnetic field is a mathematical description of the magnetic influence of electric currents and magnetic materials. The magnetic field at any given point is specified by both a direction and a magnitude ; as such it is a vector field.Technically, a magnetic field is a pseudo vector;...
s. He has also worked on magnetic levitation
Magnetic levitation
Magnetic levitation, maglev, or magnetic suspension is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields...
for transit applications and on various electromagnetic space launch concepts including the MIT Mass Driver 1
Mass Driver 1
Constructed in 1976 and 1977, Mass Driver 1 was an early demonstration of the concept of the mass driver, a form of electromagnetic launcher, which in principle could also be configured as a rocket motor, using asteroidal materials for reaction mass and energized by solar or other electric power.As...
in 1976–1977, continuing into the 1980s.
Over the years, he worked with Francis Bitter
Francis Bitter
Francis Bitter was an American physicist.Bitter invented the Bitter plate used in resistive magnets . He is the one who thought of using dust to visualize a magnetic field...
, Gerard K. O'Neill, and Eric Drexler, among others.
Comment regarding interrogation methods
In an op-ed column by Frank RichFrank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
Kolm was quoted as saying, "We got more information out of a German general with a game of chess or Ping-Pong than they do today, with their torture", in recounting his experience interrogating Colonel Rudolf Hess, Hitler's personal military advisor (not to be confused with Rudolf Hess
Rudolf Hess
Rudolf Walter Richard Hess was a prominent Nazi politician who was Adolf Hitler's deputy in the Nazi Party during the 1930s and early 1940s...
, Hitler's deputy) over a chessboard.
See also
- railgunRailgunA railgun is an entirely electrical gun that accelerates a conductive projectile along a pair of metal rails using the same principles as the homopolar motor. Railguns use two sliding or rolling contacts that permit a large electric current to pass through the projectile. This current interacts...
- coil gun
- Mass Driver 1Mass Driver 1Constructed in 1976 and 1977, Mass Driver 1 was an early demonstration of the concept of the mass driver, a form of electromagnetic launcher, which in principle could also be configured as a rocket motor, using asteroidal materials for reaction mass and energized by solar or other electric power.As...
- helical railgunHelical railgunHelical railguns are multi-turn railguns that reduce rail and brush current by a factor equal to the number of turns. Two rails are surrounded by a helical barrel and the projectile or re-usable carrier is also helical...
- Maglev trainMaglev trainMaglev , is a system of transportation that uses magnetic levitation to suspend, guide and propel vehicles from magnets rather than using mechanical methods, such as friction-reliant wheels, axles and bearings...
- Piezo electricity
External links
- Personal Website
- Magplane Technology, Inc., one of his latest ventures.
- Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory website