Watson-Watt, Robert Alexander, Sir, 1892-1973.
Reminiscences of Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt: oral history, 1961.
In this interview, Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt discusses: his childhood and education, Scotland; meteorological work, World War I; radio and static studies, direction finders; Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; studies of nature of atmospherics; simultaneity of technical developments; memorandum on detection of radiation, 1935; Baudsie Manor, training observers, operation research; political pressures; Air Ministry staff, 1936; airborne radar; recruiting young scientists; United States interest in radar; planned position indicator; target finding, H2S; "Window"; interallied intelligence missions; secondary radar devices; Telecommunications Research Establishment; V-1 and V-2 raids; Royal Commission on awards to inventors; impressions of many political and military figures, notably Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Stafford Cripps, Frederick Lindemann, Henry Tizard, Ernest Rutherford, Arthur Balfour, Richard Haldane.
Scottish radar pioneer and meteorologist. After working in the meteorological office and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, he was from 1933-1936 Superintendent of the Radio Department of the National Physical Laboratory where the use of radar was developed. In 1938, he firstly became Director of Communications Development and then in 1940 scientific adviser on telecommunications to the Air Ministry. In 1942 Watson-Watt was made Vice-controller of communications at the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
Attlee, Clement Richard, Earl, 1883-1967.
Cherwell, Frederick Alexander Lindemann, Viscount, 1886-1957
Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965
Rutherford, Ernest, 1871-1937
Tizard, Henry Thomas, Sir, 1885-1959.
Watson-Watt, Robert Alexander, Sir, 1892-1973.
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Telecommunications Research Establishment.
Radar
Meteorologists.
Radio.
World War, 1914-1918
Interviews. aat
Oral histories. aat
Transcripts. aat
Mason, John T., 1909-., interviewer.
AIP-ICOS
Columbia University. Oral History Research Office. Box 20, Room 801 Butler Library, New York, NY 10027, USA