John Wistar Simpson
Encyclopedia
John Wistar Simpson was an electrical engineer, who made significant contributions to the development of the nuclear energy.
. He joined Westinghouse in 1937 and, earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
in 1941.
Simpson worked in 1946 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
where they applied nuclear energy to the generation of power. When he returned to Westinghouse he became responsible for research and development of nuclear energy generation. He was deeply involved in the design and construction of the first submarine
atomic power plant.
He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering
in April, 1966. He was awarded the IEEE Edison Medal
in 1971 "For sustained contributions to society through the development and engineering design of nuclear power systems." Simpson received in 1982 the Walter H. Zinn Award from the American Nuclear Society
. He also was a Fellow of the IEEE, and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineering and the Atomic Industrial Forum
. Simpson was the author of several nonfiction books including "Nuclear Power from Underseas to Outer Space". He died on January 4, 2007 in Hilton Head.
Biography
He was born in 1914 in Glenn Springs, South CarolinaGlenn Springs, South Carolina
Glenn Springs is an unincorporated community in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States, located at a spring. The healing waters of the Glenn Springs were known around the country for over one hundred years. It was said that the waters would heal almost any illness. It is even said that...
. He joined Westinghouse in 1937 and, earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1941.
Simpson worked in 1946 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a multiprogram science and technology national laboratory managed for the United States Department of Energy by UT-Battelle. ORNL is the DOE's largest science and energy laboratory. ORNL is located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, near Knoxville...
where they applied nuclear energy to the generation of power. When he returned to Westinghouse he became responsible for research and development of nuclear energy generation. He was deeply involved in the design and construction of the first submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
atomic power plant.
He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering
National Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
in April, 1966. He was awarded the IEEE Edison Medal
IEEE Edison Medal
The Edison Medal is presented by the IEEE "for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering or the electrical arts." It is the oldest and most coveted medal in this field of engineering in the United States. The award consists of a gold medal, bronze replica,...
in 1971 "For sustained contributions to society through the development and engineering design of nuclear power systems." Simpson received in 1982 the Walter H. Zinn Award from the American Nuclear Society
American Nuclear Society
The American Nuclear Society is an international, not-for-profit 501 scientific and educational organization with a membership of approximately 11,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students, and other associate members. Approximately 900 members live outside the United States in 40 countries....
. He also was a Fellow of the IEEE, and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineering and the Atomic Industrial Forum
Atomic Industrial Forum
The Atomic Industrial Forum was an American industrial policy organization for the commercial development of nuclear energy.Its history dates to Autumn 1952, when it was being first organized:...
. Simpson was the author of several nonfiction books including "Nuclear Power from Underseas to Outer Space". He died on January 4, 2007 in Hilton Head.