ESL History
The ElectroScience Laboratory began as the Antenna Laboratory in 1941 when Prof. W. L. Everitt invented a new model measurement technique for aircraft antennas. When Prof. Everitt accepted a war-time assignment in Washington, responsibility for the project was assumed by George Sinclair, a graduate student who supervised up to 50 employees until his departure in 1946. In 1948, Prof. Vic Rumsey became the Lab Supervisor; under Rumsey and subsequent Directors, the research activities of the Laboratory were diversified to include almost any activity related to electromagnetics. The name ElectroScience Laboratory (ESL) was adopted under director Prof. Curt Levis in 1967 to reflect this broader scope.
In the 1960s to 1970s, numerical techniques were increasing in importance and were intensely researched at ESL. The Geometrical Theory of Diffraction was also a priority topic and was enhanced at ESL to achieve the Uniform Theory of Diffraction. ESL was at the forefront of the first applications of numerical and high-frequency methods for electromagnetics and continues to lead research into new and efficient techniques.
Other early topics that have seeded present projects include:
- radome research (including frequency selective surface and broadband array studies)
- optical applications
- satellite communications
- remote sensing studies
ESL's tradition of excellence is still going strong, and current staff and students no doubt make impressive contributions to ESL history.
View a more detailed history of the laboratory written by Prof. Leon Peters Jr. and a slide show of our historical events (Adobe Reader is required).
View a full detailed history of the Department of Electrical Engineering written by Prof. Emerson E. Kimberly, featuring a history of ElectroScience Laboratory in appendix VI (pg. 82).
A visual timeline of our historical events can be found below, or find a more detailed timeline here.
