HUNSAKER

HUNSAKER 26.08. 1886 Creston IA/USA 10.09. 1984 Boston MA/USA Jerome Clarke Hunsaker graduated in 1908 from the US Naval Academy, receiving in 1912 the MS degree in naval architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT, Cambridge MA. He was then an instructor at its Department of Naval Architecture, developing courses in aerodynamics, conducting also in Europe research in aeronautical engineering. He then built the first wind tunnel, earning for him in 1916 the first PhD degree in this research field at MIT. He headed the new Aircraft Division during World War I at Washington DC, and was in charge of building Shenandoah, the first rigid US airship to use helium. Resigning from the Navy in 1926, Hunsaker joined the Bell Telephone Laboratories to develop improved communication for meteorological data transfer to in-flight aircraft. He returned to MIT in 1933 as head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in 1939 became head of the newly formed Department of Aeronautical Engineering. During World War II he was further engaged in wind tunnel experiments and naval officer training at MIT. From 1941 to 1945 he was coordinator and chairman of the Naval Research Development Board and chairman of the National Advisory Committee in Aeronautics NACA. After retirement from MIT in 1952, Hunsaker was the first president of the Institute of Aeronautical Services IAS. He had been an internationally known pioneer in aeronautical research and engineering during the first half of the 20th century. He developed flight systems, including the establishment of the scientific and mathematical basis for flight. Among the awards he received were the Navy Cross, the Presidential Medal for Merit, and the Gold Award of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Anonymous (1921). Navy design competition for ship-plane. Aviation 10: 69-72. P Anonymous (1984). Jerome C. Hunsaker. Journal of the Society Naval Architects and Marine Engineers 92: 387-388. Hunsaker, J.C., Huff, T.H. (1916). Dynamical stability of aeroplanes. Miscellaneous Collections 62. Smithsonian Institution: Washington DC. Hunsaker, J.C. (1935). Progress report on cavitation research at MIT. Trans. ASME 57: 211-216. Hunsaker, J.C, Rightmire, B.G. (1947). Engineering applications of fluid dynamics. McGraw-Hill: New York. Hunsaker, J.C. (1952). Aeronautics at the mid-century. Yale University Press: New Haven CT. Launius, R.D. (1995). J.C. Hunsaker. Notable 20th century scientists 2: 980-981. Gale: New York.

HUNT 19.05. 1858 New York NY/USA 23.07. 1932 New York NY/USA Charles Warren Hunt graduated with the BSc degree in civil engineering from New York University in 1876; he was conferred from his Alma Mater the honorary degree Doctor of Laws in 1907. After his graduation he entered into civil engineering practice including government service on river and harbour work, municipal employ in New York in water work engineering. He was thereby connected with offices of Charles B. Brush (1848-1897), and J. James Croes (1834-1906). The latter collaboration led to his 1892 appointment as assistant secretary of the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE, taking over in 1895 as Secretary ASCE, thereby becoming ASCE executive head at age 37, a position he held until 1920. The membership increased from 1,900 to 9,400 in his 25 years term, during which he developed and sustained the ASCE practices, ideals and traditions. It was not in the size of the Society only that Hunt’s efforts were reflected, but also its resources and influence among engineers mounted. When he began his long work, the organization had headquarters in a small but ample building. Hunt advised the purchase of a larger building on West 57th Street, which was inaugurated in 1897. He further overlooked the development of the two Society’s publications, namely the Proceedings and the Transactions ASCE, which both were edited by him, gaining an enviable place in engineering literature. He was also responsible for the Annual Conventions. He was further in charge of the Society’s Library, which he improved at the Headquarters. His interest and pride in the Society was further attested by his historical writings, namely in 1897, and in 1902. Hunt was particularly fitted by heredity, education, experience, and training for his life work. He had a fine presence, a keen intellect, and a sterling character. He was made honorary member of the Koninklijk Instituut van Ingenieurs in Holland in 1922, and was ASCE member from 1884. Anonymous (1932). Charles Warren Hunt dies. Engineering News-Record 109(4): 118. P Anonymous (1933). Charles W. Hunt. Trans. ASCE 98: 1557-1562. Hunt, C.W. (1897). Historical sketch of the American Society of Civil Engineers: 1852-1897. ASCE: New York. P Hunt, C.W. (1902). The first fifty years of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Trans. ASCE 48: 220-226. Hunt, C.W. (1918). The activities of the American Society of Civil Engineers during the past twenty-five years. Trans. ASCE 82: 1577-1652.