Phillip Smith
Encyclopedia
Phillip Hagar Smith was an electrical engineer, who became famous for his invention of the Smith chart
.
Smith graduated from Tufts College in 1928. While working for RCA
, he invented his eponymous Smith chart
. He retired from Bell Labs
in 1970.
.
- When asked why he invented this chart, Smith explained:
- :"From the time I could operate a slide rule
, I've been interested in graphical representations of mathematical relationships."
In 1969 he published the book Electronic Applications of the Smith Chart: In Waveguide, Circuit, and Component Analysis, a comprehensive work on the subject.
Smith chart
The Smith chart, invented by Phillip H. Smith , is a graphical aid or nomogram designed for electrical and electronics engineers specializing in radio frequency engineering to assist in solving problems with transmission lines and matching circuits...
.
Smith graduated from Tufts College in 1928. While working for RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
, he invented his eponymous Smith chart
Smith chart
The Smith chart, invented by Phillip H. Smith , is a graphical aid or nomogram designed for electrical and electronics engineers specializing in radio frequency engineering to assist in solving problems with transmission lines and matching circuits...
. He retired from Bell Labs
Bell Labs
Bell Laboratories is the research and development subsidiary of the French-owned Alcatel-Lucent and previously of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company , half-owned through its Western Electric manufacturing subsidiary.Bell Laboratories operates its...
in 1970.
Invention of the Smith Chart
Phillip Smith invented the Smith Chart in 1939 while he was working for The Bell Telephone LaboratoriesBell Labs
Bell Laboratories is the research and development subsidiary of the French-owned Alcatel-Lucent and previously of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company , half-owned through its Western Electric manufacturing subsidiary.Bell Laboratories operates its...
.
- When asked why he invented this chart, Smith explained:
- :"From the time I could operate a slide rule
Slide rule
The slide rule, also known colloquially as a slipstick, is a mechanical analog computer. The slide rule is used primarily for multiplication and division, and also for functions such as roots, logarithms and trigonometry, but is not normally used for addition or subtraction.Slide rules come in a...
, I've been interested in graphical representations of mathematical relationships."
In 1969 he published the book Electronic Applications of the Smith Chart: In Waveguide, Circuit, and Component Analysis, a comprehensive work on the subject.