David Forbes Martyn facts for kids

David Forbes Martyn (born June 27, 1906, died March 5, 1970) was a Scottish-born Australian scientist. He was a physicist and radiographer, which means he studied how radio waves work and how they can be used. He made important discoveries about Earth's atmosphere and helped create a major science organization in Australia.

Early Life and Education

David Martyn grew up in Scotland. He went to Plymouth College and then to Allan Glen's School in Glasgow. This school was well-known for teaching a lot about science.

In 1923, David started studying at the Royal College of Science in Imperial College London. He earned his first science degree in 1926. Later, he continued his studies and received a PhD in 1929, followed by another advanced science degree in 1936.

A Career in Science

Moving to Australia

In 1927, David Martyn moved to Australia. He took one of the very first jobs in radio research there. This was a new and exciting field at the time.

World War II and Radar

During World War II, David played a key role in developing RADAR for Australia. RADAR is a system that uses radio waves to detect objects like ships and planes. His work helped protect Australia's coasts and skies.

Discoveries and Awards

David Martyn made an important discovery about "atmospheric tides." These are like ocean tides but happen in the Earth's atmosphere. For this work, he received the Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal in 1947. In the same year, he also got the T. K. Sidey Medal for his excellent scientific research. In 1950, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society in London, which is a very high honor for scientists.

Founding the Australian Academy of Science

At the time, Australia did not have one big science organization like the Royal Society in Britain. Each Australian state had its own smaller science group. David Martyn was one of only 12 Fellows of the Royal Society living in Australia.

He worked hard to bring different scientific groups together. Thanks to his efforts, 11 of these 12 Fellows agreed to form a new, independent organization. This led to the creation of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) in 1954. David was one of the first members of the AAS. He also served as its Secretary for Physical Sciences and later as its President from 1969 until his death in 1970.

In 1980, David Martyn was honored by being included in the International Space Hall of Fame.

Influencing Australian Science

David Martyn traveled a lot, gave many lectures, and used his diplomatic skills to encourage scientists across Australia. He helped create a strong community where scientists could share ideas and work together.

His main research interests were studying the upper parts of the atmosphere and the sun using radio waves. He was also very good at developing new theories in science. In 1959, he gave the first series of ABC lectures, which later became known as the Boyer Lectures. These talks were about "Society in the Space Age."

Personal Life

David Martyn was born in Cambuslang, Scotland. His father, Harry Somerville Martyn, was an eye surgeon, and his mother was Elizabeth Craig Allan.

He loved to fish for trout. This hobby helped him become more interested in protecting the environment. In 1944, he married Margot Adams, who was from Sydney, Australia. They did not have any children. David Martyn passed away in Camden, New South Wales on March 5, 1970.