Thayer School
Dr. J. Andrew Daubenspeck Ph.D.'72 successfully defended his doctoral thesis dealing with a biological problem. In typical Ph.D. jargon in which experts speak only to experts, it is entitled: "A Frequency Analysis of the Tidal Volume Controller in CO Regulation in Decerebrate Cats with Peripheral Denervations." This represents one of a number of Thayer School studies in the new area of bio-medical engineering science.
Tom Lovell, D'71: "Horseshoeing is strenuous It took a month before my legs could take the strain of being under a horse for a long time ... we get paid by the job. Last week all things seemed to come together. I looked at the hooves of the horse I was to shoe, walked to the forge with two bars of iron and returned in an hour with two shoes that fit perfectly! There is the problem of getting the six nails into the hoof without touching the sensitive tissues and having the horse crash down on you. I'm getting fast at this business and that means more money but it still is fun.
"I'm experiencing the feeling of knowing I'm competent - perhaps this will one day bring me back to engineering. I'm interested in new building techniques, waste disposal ... high level versus low level technological solutions ... ways of solving environmental problems without the solution dictating cultural change."
Charles Nessler MechE'49 is at Pratt & Whitney experimenting with ceramic blades for gas turbines. On the side he is studying law and expects to hang out his shingle in a few years.
Thomas H. Pratt D'72 and Michael L. RiegerD'72 were awarded U.S. Patent No. 3,669,009 for their refuse compactor which was invented and demonstrated in the sophomore course, Introduction to Engineering. Their device utilizes the hydraulic pressure available in a home to compact trash and garbage into an odor and moisture-proof bag. They have been negotiating with a large corporation for the further development of their device to mass production.
Prof. Barney Smith (1968-1972), now dean of the new business school at Illinois Institute of Technology, was the advisor to the students.
DaveShumway CE'17: "Early in 1920 I was approached by a representative of the Barahona Sugar Company which was looking for engineers to survey and lay out irrigation ditches for a sugar plantation in Barahona, San Domingo - an island controlled by the U.S. Marines at that time. He pictured such a fascinating picture of life on that far-off isle that I accepted.
"There were 10 or 15 engineers working there. To say conditions were primitive was an understatement! There was no electricity, no refrigeration, and no sanitation. The tradewinds started blowing at nine in the morning and died down at five in the afternoon, covering everything - beds, clothes, food, and our bodies - with sand. Temperatures ranged from 100 F to 115 F at midday. Malaria and typhoid were prevalent. We lived in tents and had to keep a sharp lookout at all times for tarantulas and scorpions in clothing, beds, and shoes. For entertainment we played with pet iguanas tied to our tent poles.
"Our job was to plan the cutting down of a forest of ironwood, teak, mahogany, and pine and the lay-out irrigation ditches. The price of sugar at the time was 20 cents a pound and the company was trying to get into production before the price fell. The land was unbelievably rich and there was plenty of water.
"Our rodmen and chairmen spoke nothing but Spanish. Sometimes they showed up in the morning and sometimes they didn't. They all had malaria and I have seen them shivering with the temperature at 110.
"I never finished the job because I too became so sick with malaria that I could not work. This in spite of the fact that I took so much quinine that I temporarily lost my hearing.
"Nothing ever looked more beautiful than New York Harbor when we sailed into it on Columbus Day.
"Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience - one I would not have missed."
John H. McNamara MechE'49, was given the 1972 Distinguished Service Award by the Upper Rock Island County Chamber of Commerce.
John is assistant general manager of the John Deere Works in East Moline, Illinois, and has been active in civic affairs. His picture in the East Moline Times-Democrat shows that Father Time has apparently not laid a hand on him yet.
Seiko Enbutsu MechE'59, "I am with Dentsu advertising Ltd. in Tokyo. It is Japan's largest and the world's third largest advertising agency. It is diversifying by entering the information industry and has started Japan's first commercial time-sharing services in license agreement with General Electric.
"I am happy to introduce this service which was originally developed at my alma mater."
Jerry Greenfield TT'62 (To Prof. George Taylor): "Congratulations on your coming retirement. It hardly seems 15 years since you were my freshman adviser."
"I'm currently with TRW (Thompson Ramo Wooldridge) Systems in Redondo Beach. I'm kind of an in-house consultant. I'm responsible for all of the computer related business analysis, and having a great time.
"I've become involved in a number of civic related activities, and in the middle of all this, my memory of your engineering law course took its toll with my starting law school in January. Ever since that exposure in your law class I've had the desire to do this. Last summer my wife and father-in-law gave me a big kick in the pants and suggested that I do it - so I did.
"Our new family member is almost a year old, and is getting into everything. We are enjoying her 'growing up'."
Jonathan M. Greene MrE'67, has finished his stint on Admiral Rickover's staff in Washington, D.C. He is now a Tuck student.
