L.T.E. Thompson
Encyclopedia
Dr. Louis Ten Eyck "Tec" Thompson (October 24, 1891 in South Haven, Michigan
– December 13, 1978); known as Dr. Tommy) was a US physicist
interested in thermodynamica and ballistics
and as an expert working for the US Navy from 1920 to 1954. He was the first technical director at the China Lake Naval Air Stations, in California where he was involved in work on the Manhattan Project
(helping in designing the "gun" used to initiate nuclear explosives) and most involved in the development of rockets for naval and marine fighter aircraft.
Thompson received his BS from Kalamazoo College
in 1914, MA in 1915 and PhD in 1917 from Clark University
, Worcester, MA. During 1917-19 he was an assistant professor and fellow at Clark doing research on thermodynamics
and ballistics
.
The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
named an award in his honor.
South Haven, Michigan
South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
– December 13, 1978); known as Dr. Tommy) was a US physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
interested in thermodynamica and ballistics
Ballistics
Ballistics is the science of mechanics that deals with the flight, behavior, and effects of projectiles, especially bullets, gravity bombs, rockets, or the like; the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance.A ballistic body is a body which is...
and as an expert working for the US Navy from 1920 to 1954. He was the first technical director at the China Lake Naval Air Stations, in California where he was involved in work on the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
(helping in designing the "gun" used to initiate nuclear explosives) and most involved in the development of rockets for naval and marine fighter aircraft.
Thompson received his BS from Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College, also known as K College or simply K, is a private liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1833, the college is among the 100 oldest in the country. Today, it produces more Peace Corps volunteers per capita than any other U.S...
in 1914, MA in 1915 and PhD in 1917 from Clark University
Clark University
Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
, Worcester, MA. During 1917-19 he was an assistant professor and fellow at Clark doing research on thermodynamics
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a physical science that studies the effects on material bodies, and on radiation in regions of space, of transfer of heat and of work done on or by the bodies or radiation...
and ballistics
Ballistics
Ballistics is the science of mechanics that deals with the flight, behavior, and effects of projectiles, especially bullets, gravity bombs, rockets, or the like; the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance.A ballistic body is a body which is...
.
The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
- About : is part of under Commander, Navy Installation Command and is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately north of Los Angeles. Occupying three counties – Kern, San Bernardino and Inyo – the installation’s closest neighbors are the cities of Ridgecrest,...
named an award in his honor.