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).

Bringing water to those in need

Bringing water to those in need

As co-founder of Water.org, Gary White has helped empower more than 29 million people worldwide with access to safe water…

Memories from “Mr. Miner,” Jerry Bayless

Memories from “Mr. Miner,” Jerry Bayless

After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1959, Jerry Bayless began teaching in the department...

An out-of-this-world championship

An out-of-this-world championship

How does a team go from worst to first in a matter of just a few years? Missouri S&T’s Mars…

First impressions: UM System President Mun Choi

First impressions: UM System President Mun Choi

Mun Choi, who has served as president of the University of Missouri System since 2017...

EV pioneer

EV pioneer

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

Pitching in a World Series

Pitching in a World Series

The only Miner to ever pitch in a World Series game, Marvin H. “Baby Face” Breuer pitched for the New…