Harry Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from S&T in 1942.
Harry Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from S&T in 1942.

The next time you’re watching the Weather Channel, you might want to thank S&T alumnus Harry Smith for equipping today’s weather forecasters with more accurate weather-tracking methods.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from S&T in 1942. As an engineer at Westinghouse in the 1950s, he worked to improve existing radar techniques to better detect planes. His work led to pulse-Doppler radar. Doppler radar is commonly used today for weather surveillance because it allows forecasters to detect the motion of precipitation and a storm’s intensity.

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess

Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess

Student athletes Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess met in August 2002 outside the campus’s Rayle Cafeteria. “I thought to myself,…

Amanda (Gealy) and Logan Meyer

Amanda (Gealy) and Logan Meyer

Amanda (Gealy) and Logan Meyer met through mutual friends during St. Pat’s in 2010. Amanda earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees…

Hall of fame astronaut

Hall of fame astronaut

Janet Kavandi, former deputy director at NASA’s Glenn Research Center and a NASA astronaut, has logged more than 33 days…

Savannah (Signaigo) and Nathan Leezer

Savannah (Signaigo) and Nathan Leezer

Savannah (Signaigo) and Nathan Leezer met during Greek Week activities in September 2010 when Nathan, a first-year Interfraternity Council representative,…

Camille (Anderson) and Mark Herrera

Camille (Anderson) and Mark Herrera

Camille (Anderson) and Mark Herrera met in February 2007 after a mutual friend arranged for a double date at Alex’s…

Kathy (Stone) and Bob Phillips

Kathy (Stone) and Bob Phillips

Kathy (Stone) and Bob Phillips were both living in TJ Hall’s North Tower when they met in August 1986 while…