J. Curry Street Explained

Jabez Curry Street (May 5, 1906 – November 7, 1989) was an American physicist, a co-discoverer of atomic particles called muons.^{[1] [2] [3]} Street was also notable for heading the group at MIT that created ground and ship radar systems.^[1] He also directed development of LORAN Navigation System, which is used worldwide for navigation purposes.^[1] Street was chairman of the physics department at Harvard University^[1] and acting director of the Cambridge Electron Accelerator,^[1] a member of the National Academy of Sciences.^[2] The National Academies Press called him "a boldly innovative experimental physicist whose discoveries in cosmic rays influenced decisively the course of high-energy physics."^[2]

Chronology

• May 5, 1906: born in Opelika, Alabama
• 1927: B.S. in electrical engineering, the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (renamed in 1960 Auburn University)
• 1931: Ph.D., the University of Virginia with thesis The fall of potential in electrical discharges under the supervision of Jesse Wakefield Beams^[4]
• 1932–1970: Harvard University, Instructor to Professor of Physics^[3]
• 1936: elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society^[5]
• 1937: discovers muons with E. C. Stevenson at Harvard University^{[1] [2]}
• 1940–1945: MIT Radiation Laboratory, Researcher^[3]
• 1953: elected to the National Academy of Sciences^{[2] [3]}
• 1955–1960: Harvard University, Chair, Department of Physics^[3]
• 1962–1963: Harvard-MIT Cambridge Electron Accelerator, Acting Director
• 1970–1976: Harvard University, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics^[3]
• 1976: retired
• 1976–1989: Harvard University, Emeritus Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics^[3]
• November 7, 1989: died in Charleston, South Carolina

Notes and References

1. News: J.C. Street, Physicist, Dies at 83; Discovered Muon, Atomic Particle. New York Times. Sullivan, Walter. Walter Sullivan (journalist). November 9, 1989.
2. http://www.nap.edu/readingroom.php?book=biomems&page=jstreet.html National Academies Press:Biographical Memoirs:Jabez Curry Street;By K. T. Bainbridge, E. M. Purcell, N. F. Ramsey, and K. Strauch
3. Web site: Array of Contemporary Physicists:J. Curry Street . 2012-01-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305200052/https://www.aip.org/history/acap/biographies/bio.jsp?streetj . 2016-03-05 . dead .
4. Web site: Jabez Curry Street. Physics Tree.
5. Web site: APS Fellow Archive. American Physical Society. (search on year=1936 and institution=Harvard University)