Eric Eastwood (engineer) facts for kids
Sir Eric Eastwood (born March 12, 1910 – died 1981) was a brilliant British scientist and engineer. He played a super important role in developing radar technology during World War II. His work helped protect Britain and changed how wars were fought.
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Early Life and Learning
Eric Eastwood went to Oldham High School when he was young. Later, he studied at Manchester University, where he learned from a famous scientist named Lawrence Bragg. After university, he went to Christ's College, Cambridge. There, he did special research in something called Spectroscopy, which is about how light interacts with matter. He earned his PhD in 1935. Before his big career, he also taught physics for a bit at the Liverpool Collegiate School.
Helping Out in World War II
When World War II started, Eric Eastwood joined the Royal Air Force (RAF). He became a Squadron Leader, which is an important rank. His main job during the war was to work on radar. Radar was a new and secret technology that used radio waves to detect airplanes and ships. Eric Eastwood helped make radar better and figured out how the RAF's Fighter Defences could use it to spot enemy planes. This was super important for protecting cities from air attacks.
After the War: A Career in Innovation
After World War II ended, Eric Eastwood continued his amazing work. He joined the English Electric Company. He first worked on advanced science projects, including special X-ray machines.
In 1946, the English Electric Company bought the Marconi Company. Eric Eastwood then moved to the Marconi Research Laboratory in Great Baddow. Here, he focused on making the lab's work even bigger in areas like communications, radar, and applied physics.
His hard work paid off! In 1954, he became the Director of Research for the Marconi Company. Then, in 1962, he was promoted again to Research Director for the entire English Electric Group. This meant he was in charge of a lot of important scientific research.
Awards and Recognition
Eric Eastwood was recognized for his incredible contributions to science and engineering.
- In 1968, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a huge honor for scientists in the UK.
- He gave the very first Clifford Paterson Lecture in 1976, where he talked all about radar.
- He was also made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1962.
- In 1973, he was knighted, which means he became "Sir Eric Eastwood."
- He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 1977.
Sir Eric Eastwood's work helped shape modern technology, especially in radar and communications.
