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).

EV pioneer

EV pioneer

As the auto industry begins to fully embrace the notion of electric vehicles, it has EV pioneers like Jon Bereisa…

Nick Swanson and Julia Ingram

Nick Swanson and Julia Ingram

Although Nick Swanson and Julia Ingram met during an informational meeting for FRC Robotics during high school back in 2011,…

Abby (LaPreze) and Jeremy Morris

Abby (LaPreze) and Jeremy Morris

When Abby (LaPreze) and Jeremy Morris first met as members of the 2007 Chancellor’s Leadership Academy (CLA), they didn’t realize…

Jillian (Estes) and Charlie Stankovic

Jillian (Estes) and Charlie Stankovic

Jillian (Estes) and Charlie Stankovic met in 2013 after overhearing stories about one another. During finals week, they played sand…

AJ (Bedwell) and Patrick Prawitz

AJ (Bedwell) and Patrick Prawitz

AJ (Bedwell) and Patrick Prawitz met in spring 2004 as castmates of the musical, Annie Get Your Gun. “I was…

The fine art of tuning a Corvette

The fine art of tuning a Corvette

Charlie Rusher, a 2011 graduate in mechanical engineering, “makes Corvettes sound like Corvettes.” Rusher was interviewed by The New York…