| A Tribute: Austrian-born Physicist Robert Adler, 1913-2007 |
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bridges vol.13, April 2007 / News from the Network, Austrian Researchers Abroad by John J. Pederson 
Robert Adler, 1913-2007
Dr. Adler's technical achievements and contributions are well documented in his nearly 200 US patents, the numerous honors and awards he received, and his many technical publications. Many of his inventions in widely diverse technical fields found their way into the products of Zenith, the pioneering American consumer electronics company where he worked for nearly six decades. His inventions were also incorporated into products of his post-Zenith clients and into competing products of others from time to time. He is widely remembered as the inventor of Zenith's wireless ultrasonic Space Command TV remote control, which revolutionized TV viewing in the United States and around the world. But his simple humanity, personal strength of character, and outstanding leadership skills were his most memorable traits. Robert, or Bob as he was often known by his peers and business associates, was a gentle, modest, patient, selfless and soft-spoken man of unimposing appearance and demeanor. He had a uniquely comprehensive knowledge of the laws of physics, and his avid appetite for reading, along with the extraordinary scope of his scientific genius, enabled him to assimilate new discoveries and advances into his personal knowledge repertoire almost instantly. He had outstanding mentoring and teaching skills and a natural talent for finding an acceptable middle ground between conflicting hypotheses or viewpoints. Access to the full article is free, but requires you to register. Registration is simple and quick – all we need is your name and a valid e-mail address. We appreciate your interest in bridges. |
