Andrew Alford
Encyclopedia
Andrew Alford was an American
electrical engineer and inventor.
Born in Samara, Russia
, Alford invented and developed antennas for radio navigation systems, now used for VHF omnidirectional range
and instrument landing system
s.
Alford graduated from the University of California
in 1924. He received an honorary doctorate from Ohio University
in 1975.
He invented a balanced square antenna named the Alford Loop.
In 1965, the first Master FM Antenna system in the world designed to allow individual FM stations to broadcast simultaneously from one source was erected on the Empire State Building
. The original system was co-invented by Alford and Frank Kear.
In 1983 Alford was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
for his invention of the Localizer Antenna System
which guides aircraft during landings.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
electrical engineer and inventor.
Born in Samara, Russia
Samara, Russia
Samara , is the sixth largest city in Russia. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia at the confluence of the Volga and Samara Rivers. Samara is the administrative center of Samara Oblast. Population: . The metropolitan area of Samara-Tolyatti-Syzran within Samara Oblast...
, Alford invented and developed antennas for radio navigation systems, now used for VHF omnidirectional range
VHF omnidirectional range
VOR, short for VHF omnidirectional radio range, is a type of radio navigation system for aircraft. A VOR ground station broadcasts a VHF radio composite signal including the station's identifier, voice , and navigation signal. The identifier is typically a two- or three-letter string in Morse code...
and instrument landing system
Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
s.
Alford graduated from the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
in 1924. He received an honorary doctorate from Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
in 1975.
- California Institute of Technology, 1927-28;
- Fox Film Corporation, 1929-31;
- Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company, 1934-41;
- Air Navigation Lab, International Telegraph Development Corporation, 1938-41;
- Harvard University Radio Research Lab from 1943 to 1945;
- Direction Finder and Antenna Division, ITT, from 1943 to 1945;
- Founded the Alford Manufacturing Company.
He invented a balanced square antenna named the Alford Loop.
In 1965, the first Master FM Antenna system in the world designed to allow individual FM stations to broadcast simultaneously from one source was erected on the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
. The original system was co-invented by Alford and Frank Kear.
In 1983 Alford was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
for his invention of the Localizer Antenna System
Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
which guides aircraft during landings.