Joseph Slepian
Encyclopedia
Joseph Slepian
was an American
electrical engineer known for his contributions to the developments of electrical apparatus and theory.
Born in Boston, MA of Jewish Russian immigrants, he studied mathematics at Harvard University
, from which he was awarded a B.Sc. (1911), a M.Sc. (1912) and Ph.D.
on the thesis On the Functions of a Complex Variable Defined by an Ordinary Differential Equation of the First Order and First Degree advised by George Birkhoff (1913). Meanwhile he also worked at Boston Elevated Railway
.
After his Ph.D., he became Sheldon fellow at University of Göttingen in Germany
, was at University of Sorbonne in Paris
, before becoming instructor of mathematics at Cornell University
(1915).
He joined Westinghouse Electric in East Pittsburgh (1916) in the railway motor department initially, moving to
the research department (1917) at Forest Hills (PA) where he became head (1922), consulting engineer (1926) and associate director
(1938–1956) and developed over two hundred patents. Slepian did significant groundwork for the betatron
(1927).
He received the IEEE Edison Medal
(1947) for his work on
the autovalve lightning arrester
, deion circuit breaker
, and ignitron
.
He wrote over 120 articles and essays, and published the book Conductivity of electricity in gases (1933).
His career was somewhat shortened by a stroke
(1951).
He was the father of the mathematician David Slepian
.
was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
electrical engineer known for his contributions to the developments of electrical apparatus and theory.
Born in Boston, MA of Jewish Russian immigrants, he studied mathematics at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, from which he was awarded a B.Sc. (1911), a M.Sc. (1912) and Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
on the thesis On the Functions of a Complex Variable Defined by an Ordinary Differential Equation of the First Order and First Degree advised by George Birkhoff (1913). Meanwhile he also worked at Boston Elevated Railway
Boston Elevated Railway
The Boston Elevated Railway was a precursor first to the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Massachusetts, now the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, operating rapid transit, streetcars and buses in the Boston, Massachusetts area. It was formerly known as the West End Street Railway.The...
.
After his Ph.D., he became Sheldon fellow at University of Göttingen in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, was at University of Sorbonne in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, before becoming instructor of mathematics at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
(1915).
He joined Westinghouse Electric in East Pittsburgh (1916) in the railway motor department initially, moving to
the research department (1917) at Forest Hills (PA) where he became head (1922), consulting engineer (1926) and associate director
(1938–1956) and developed over two hundred patents. Slepian did significant groundwork for the betatron
Betatron
A betatron is a cyclotron developed by Donald Kerst at the University of Illinois in 1940 to accelerate electrons, but the concepts ultimately originate from Rolf Widerøe and previous development occurred in Germany through Max Steenbeck in the 1930s. The betatron is essentially a transformer with...
(1927).
He received the IEEE Edison Medal
IEEE Edison Medal
The Edison Medal is presented by the IEEE "for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering or the electrical arts." It is the oldest and most coveted medal in this field of engineering in the United States. The award consists of a gold medal, bronze replica,...
(1947) for his work on
the autovalve lightning arrester
Lightning arrester
A lightning arrester is a device used on electrical power systems to protect the insulation on the system from the damaging effect of lightning. Metal oxide varistors have been used for power system protection since the mid 1970s. The typical lightning arrester also known as surge arrester has...
, deion circuit breaker
Circuit breaker
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow...
, and ignitron
Ignitron
An ignitron is a type of controlled rectifier dating from the 1930s. Invented by Joseph Slepian while employed by Westinghouse, Westinghouse was the original manufacturer and owned trademark rights to the name "Ignitron"....
.
He wrote over 120 articles and essays, and published the book Conductivity of electricity in gases (1933).
His career was somewhat shortened by a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
(1951).
He was the father of the mathematician David Slepian
David Slepian
David S. Slepian was an American mathematician.Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania he studied B.Sc. at University of Michigan before joining the forces in World War II,as Sonic deception officer in the Ghost army....
.
Awards
- fellow of AIEE 1927
- John Scott Medal 1932
- AIEE Lamme Medal 1942
- Westinghouse Order of Merit 1935
- French Officer de Academie 1939
- National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
elected member 1941 - fellow of the Institute of Radio EngineersInstitute of Radio EngineersThe Institute of Radio Engineers was a professional organization which existed from 1912 until January 1, 1963, when it merged with the American Institute of Electrical Engineers to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers .-Founding:Following several attempts to form a...
1945 - IEEE Edison MedalIEEE Edison MedalThe Edison Medal is presented by the IEEE "for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering or the electrical arts." It is the oldest and most coveted medal in this field of engineering in the United States. The award consists of a gold medal, bronze replica,...
1947 - honorary doctor of engineering Case Institute of Technology 1949
- honorary doctor of science by the University of LeedsUniversity of LeedsThe University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
1955