Robert Watson-Watt: A Short Biography

Electronics Pioneers & History
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Sir Robert Watson-Watt (1892-1973) was a Scottish physicist and inventor who is best known for his work in the development of radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) technology during World War II.

Watson-Watt was born in Brechin, Scotland, and grew up in Dundee. He studied physics at the University of St. Andrews and then worked as a meteorologist for the British Meteorological Office. In the 1930s, he began researching the use of radio waves to detect aircraft, in response to a request from the British Air Ministry for a method to detect enemy planes before they reached British airspace.

In 1935, Watson-Watt demonstrated a working prototype of his radar system, which used pulsed radio waves to detect the presence and location of aircraft. The system was quickly adopted by the British military and played a crucial role in the defense of Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Watson-Watt was instrumental in the development of radar technology throughout the war, and his work helped to shape the course of the conflict. He also played a key role in the development of radar for civilian purposes after the war, including air traffic control and weather forecasting.

After the war, Watson-Watt was knighted for his services to the country and continued to work in the field of radio and electronics until his retirement in 1952. He died in 1973, but his legacy lives on in the continued use and development of radar technology in both military and civilian applications.

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