Biography

Wait was born in Ottawa, Canada, on January 23, 1924, received his BS (1948) and MS (1949) in engineering physics

Engineering physics

Engineering physics is the study of the combined disciplines of physics, engineering and mathematics in order to develop an understanding of the interrelationships of these three disciplines. Fundamental physics is combined with problem solving and engineering skills, which then has broad...

 and his PhD (1951) in electrical engineering

Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...

, all from the University of Toronto

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...

. Between 1948 and 1951, he worked for Newmont Exploration in Jerome, Arizona

Jerome, Arizona

Jerome is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 353.-History:...

, where his research led to several patents in both IP and EM methods of geophysical prospecting. After a brief stint with the Defense Research Communications establishment in Ottawa

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...

, Wait first joined the National Bureau of Standards in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...

, and then NOAA; at each, he concentrated predominantly on theoretical aspects of radio-wave propagation. Gertrude Norman was his spouse. In the meantime, he also held numerous teaching and visiting scientist research positions at various prestigious universities and research establishments all over the world. Finally, in 1980, he was appointed professor

Professor

A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...

 of electrical engineering and geosciences at the University of Arizona

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...

 in Tucson and in 1988 became one of the prestigious Regents' Professors. He died October 1, 1998 at his home in Tucson.

See also

• Earth's magnetic field
  Earth's magnetic field
  Earth's magnetic field is the magnetic field that extends from the Earth's inner core to where it meets the solar wind, a stream of energetic particles emanating from the Sun...
  
  
• Atmospheric electricity
  Atmospheric electricity
  Atmospheric electricity is the regular diurnal variations of the Earth's atmospheric electromagnetic network . The Earth's surface, the ionosphere, and the atmosphere is known as the global atmospheric electrical circuit...
  
  
• IEEE Heinrich Hertz Medal
  IEEE Heinrich Hertz Medal
  The IEEE Heinrich Hertz Medal was a science award presented by the IEEE for outstanding achievements in the field of electromagnetic waves. The medal was named in honour of German physicist Heinrich Hertz, and was first proposed in 1986 by IEEE Region 8 as a centennial recognition of Hertz's work...
  
  

Patents

• James R. Wait, Method of geophysical exploration, . June 1956. (Newmont Mining Corporation)

Wait's books

• JR Wait, Electromagnetic Waves in Stratified Media. 1962, Pergamon Press.
• JR Wait, Electromagnetic wave theory. 1985, Harper & Row New York.
• JR Wait, Geo-electromagnetism. 1982, Academic Press New York, NY.
• JR Wait, Wave Propagation Theory. 1981, New York: Pergamon.
• JR Wait, Electromagnetics and plasmas. 1968, Holt, Rinehart and Winston New York.
• JR Wait, Electromagnetic Radiation from Cylindrical Structures. 1959, Pergamon Press.

Other's works

• Sato, G., In memory of Dr. James R. Wait. Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE. Volume 41, Issue 2, April 1999 Page(s):44 - 46. DOI 10.1109/MAP.1999.769692

External articles

• Recipients of the IEEE Heinrich Hertz Medal, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...