Harold Eugene "Doc" Edgerton
- Born:
- April 6, 1903, Fremont, Nebraska, USA
- Died:
- January 4, 1990, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Electrical Engineer, Photographer, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (1925).
- Earned a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from MIT (1927).
- Received a Sc.D. in Electrical Engineering from MIT (1931).
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT from 1932 until retirement.
- Developed stroboscopic photography techniques, revolutionizing the study of fast-moving objects.
- Co-founded EG&G (Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier) in 1947, a company specializing in high-speed photography and related technologies.
- Worked with Jacques Cousteau, pioneering underwater photography and lighting techniques.
- Developed electronic flash technology used in photography.
- Contributed to the development of sonar technology during World War II.
Notable Works
- Photographed a bullet piercing an apple, one of his most iconic images.
- Developed techniques for photographing nuclear explosions.
- Significant contributions to underwater photography, including lighting and camera equipment.
Publications
- Electronic Flash, Strobe (1970)
- Authored numerous scientific articles and technical papers.
Legacy and Impact
Harold Eugene "Doc" Edgerton's pioneering work in stroboscopic and high-speed photography transformed scientific research, artistic expression, and various technological fields. His inventions and techniques continue to influence photography, engineering, and oceanography. Exploring a detailed sidney edgerton biography reveals how his innovations left an enduring mark.
Awards and Honors
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| National Medal of Science | 1973 |
| Potts Medal | 1959 |
| Progress Medal (Royal Photographic Society) | 1964 |