Paul MacCready explained

Birth Name:Paul Beattie MacCready Jr.
Significant Projects:AeroVironment

Paul B. MacCready Jr. (September 25, 1925 – August 28, 2007) was an American aeronautical engineer. He was the founder of AeroVironment and the designer of the human-powered aircraft that won the first Kremer prize. He devoted his life to developing more efficient transportation vehicles that could "do more with less".[1]

Early life and education

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to a medical family, MacCready was an inventor from an early age and won a national contest building a model flying machine at the age of 15. "I was always the smallest kid in the class ... by a good bit, and was not especially coordinated, and certainly not the athlete type, who enjoyed running around outside, and was socially kind of immature, not the comfortable leader, teenager type. And so, when I began getting into model airplanes, and getting into contests and creating new things, I probably got more psychological benefit from that than I would have from some of the other typical school things."[2]

MacCready graduated from Hopkins School in 1943 and then trained as a US Navy pilot before the end of World War II. He received a BS in physics from Yale University in 1947, an MS in physics from Caltech in 1948, and a PhD in aeronautics from Caltech in 1952.[3] His doctoral dissertation Investigation of Atmospheric Turbulence was supervised by Homer Joseph Stewart.[4] In 1951, MacCready founded his first company, Meteorology Research Inc, to do atmospheric research. Some of MacCready's work as a graduate student involved cloud seeding, and he was an early pioneer of the use of aircraft to study meteorological phenomena.[2]

Career and achievements

He started gliding after World War II and was a three-time winner (1948, 1949, 1953) of the Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy,[5] awarded annually to the U.S. National Open Class Soaring Champion. In 1956, he became the first American pilot to become the World Soaring Champion. He invented a device that told pilots the best speed to fly a glider, depending on conditions and based on the glider's rate of sink at different air-speeds. Sailplane pilots still use the "MacCready speed ring",[6] and still adjust the "MacCready Number" (abbreviated MC) within their flight instruments, to optimize their flying speed.

In the 1970s, he guaranteed a business loan for a friend, which subsequently failed, leaving him with a $100,000 debt. This was the motivation he needed to compete for the £50,000 Kremer prize for human-powered flight, which had been on offer for 18 years. With Dr. Peter B.S. Lissaman, he created a human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Condor. The Condor stayed aloft for seven minutes while it completed the required figure eight course, thereby winning the first Kremer prize in August 1977. The award-winning plane was constructed of aluminium tubing, plastic foam, piano wire, bicycle parts, and mylar foil for covering.[7]

Kremer then offered another £100,000 for the first human-powered crossing of the English Channel. MacCready took up the challenge and in 1979, he built the Condor's successor, the Gossamer Albatross, and won the second Kremer prize, successfully flying from England to France.[8] He also received the Collier Trophy, which is awarded annually for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics, for his design and construction of the Albatross.[2]

He later created solar-powered aircraft such as the Gossamer Penguin and the Solar Challenger. He was involved in the development of NASA's solar-powered flying wings such as the Helios, which surpassed the SR-71's altitude records and could theoretically fly on Mars (where the atmosphere is thin, with little oxygen).[9] MacCready also collaborated with General Motors on the design of the Sunraycer, a solar-powered car, and then on the EV-1 electric car.[10]

In 1985, he was commissioned to build a halfscale working replica of the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus for the Smithsonian Institution, following a workshop in 1984, which concluded that such a replica was feasible. The completed remote-controlled flying reptile, with a wingspan of 18 feet, was filmed over Death Valley, California in 1986 for the Smithsonian's IMAX film On the Wing. It flew successfully several times before being severely damaged in a crash at an airshow at Andrews AFB in Maryland. The launch of the pterosaur model came off well but the radio transmitter link failed, perhaps because of the interference from some of the many base communications devices. The model nosed over and crashed at the runway side, breaking at the neck from the force of impact.[11]

MacCready helped to sponsor the Nissan Dempsey/MacCready Prize which has helped to motivate developments in racing-bicycle technology, applying aerodynamics and new materials to allow for faster human-powered vehicles.[12]

He was the founder (in 1971) and Chairman of AeroVironment Inc., a public company (AVAV) that develops unmanned surveillance aircraft and advanced power systems. AV flew a prototype of the first airplane to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, the Global Observer.[13]

MacCready died on August 28, 2007, from metastatic melanoma. He was an atheist and a skeptic.[14] He was survived by his wife Judy, his three sons Parker, Tyler and Marshall and two grandchildren.[15]

Awards and honors

Other interests

MacCready was a secular humanist, which he defined as someone who "does not believe in God, and doesn't steal."[59] He was a laureate of the International Academy of Humanism.[60]

He was involved with scientific skepticism from its early days, being a member of the board of directors of the Southern California Skeptics in 1985.[61] Skeptic and author Michael Shermer credits MacCready with his introduction to the skeptical movement. MacCready was admitted posthumously to the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry's Pantheon of Skeptics in 2011.

Since 2013, MacCready has been listed on the Advisory Council of the National Center for Science Education.[62]

MacCready was also a passionate environmentalist who was concerned about humanity's role in the depletion of natural resources. "Environmentally conscious, technologically clever, and culturally grand, Paul wanted to change the world through reason, intelligence, and creativity", Shermer wrote of him in an obituary.[63]

Appearances

MacCready lectured widely at both industry and educational venues, with an emphasis on creativity. Enthusiastic about spreading his message to as many as possible, he would speak to anyone he thought he could influence, including children. Michael Shermer described his delivery as "completely unpretentious, conversing in the same manner whether he was talking to a room full of undergraduate students or Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners."[64] In February 1998, MacCready spoke at a TED conference on the topic of nature versus humans, continuing his environmental theme of "doing more with less".[65] And in February, 2003 he delivered another TED talk entitled "A Flight on Solar Wings"[66]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AeroVironment, Inc.: Gossamer Albatross: 30th Anniversary . Avinc.com . 1979-06-12 . 2010-08-25.
  2. Web site: Our Enshrinees . nationalaviation.org . NAHF . 7 June 2018.
  3. Web site: Interview with Paul B. MacCready . library.caltech.edu . California Institute of Technology . 8 June 2018.
  4. Investigation of atmospheric turbulence by Paul B. MacCready. CaltechTHESIS, A Caltech Library Service. 1952. 10.7907/F8AR-VH67. MacCready. Paul B.. phd.
  5. Web site: Unofficial Listing of the Soaring Society of America Badges and Awards: The Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy . 1943-09-12 . 2010-08-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061025204042/http://soaring.aerobatics.ws/Awards/dupont.html . 2006-10-25.
  6. Web site: Paul Maccready . lemelson.mit.edu . Massachusetts Institute of Technology . 8 June 2018.
  7. Web site: Paul B. MacCready, 81; inventor of human-powered aircraft, other innovations . . August 30, 2007 . 9 June 2018.
  8. Web site: Paul MacCready Obituary . telegraph.co.uk . August 31, 2007 . Telegraph Media Group Limited . 1 June 2018.
  9. Web site: Flying Wing Soars To Record Height . cbsnews.com . August 13, 2001 . CBS Interactive Inc . 9 June 2018.
  10. Web site: GM EV1 and the Los Angeles City Council (53 items) MacCready Papers . maccready.library.caltech.edu . 1996-01-22.
  11. News: The Mechanical Pterosaurus Wrecks Thousands Watch as Crash Ends Performance of Reptile Replica . The Washington Post . 9 June 2018.
  12. Web site: This is a bike. Trust us. . . August 27, 2006 . 1 June 2018.
  13. Web site: Aerovironment's Global Observer: Flying High, Again . Defence Industry Daily . Defense Industry Daily . 9 June 2018.
  14. Web site: International Academy of Humanism . secularhumanism.org . Council for Secular Humanism. . 1 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180330192331/https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/3258 . March 30, 2018 . dead .
  15. Web site: Pioneer MacCready dies. flightglobal.com. Reed Business Information. 15 May 2018.
  16. Web site: United States Hall of Fame. soaringmuseum.org. National Soaring Museum. 14 May 2018.
  17. Web site: The Lilienthal Gliding Medal. fai.org. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. 14 May 2018.
  18. Web site: An E&AS Who's Who: Recipients of the Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award. Caltech Campus Pubs. California Institute of Technology. 14 May 2018.
  19. Web site: Collier 1970-1979 Recipients. naa.aero. The National Aeronautic Association. 14 May 2018.
  20. Web site: Reed Aeronautics Award Recipients. aiaa.org. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. 14 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141702/https://www.aiaa.org/HonorsAndAwardsRecipientsList.aspx?awardId=10ba0453-cdb4-4fb3-a055-e0687427901c. June 12, 2018. dead.
  21. Web site: Geyelin. Peter. Letter of congratulations. library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. 14 May 2018.
  22. News: Martin. Douglas. P. B. MacCready, 81, Inventor, Dies. The New York Times. August 31, 2007. 14 May 2018.
  23. Web site: Spirit of St. Louis Medal. asme.org. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 14 May 2018.
  24. Web site: Inventor Paul MacCready to Speak at Caltech. caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. 14 May 2018.
  25. Web site: OSTIV Awards. ostiv.org. Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile. 14 May 2018.
  26. Wylam. William. Biographical Memoirs. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. June 2011. 155. 217–224. 28 May 2018.
  27. Web site: Dr. Paul B. MacCready, Jr. 1982 Recipient. lindberghfoundation.org. The Lindbergh Foundation. 14 May 2018.
  28. Web site: Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement . www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  29. Web site: Paul B. MacCready, Ph.D. Biography and Interview. www.achievement.org. Academy of Achievement.
  30. Web site: Award certificate. library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. 15 May 2018.
  31. Web site: Stevens Institute of Technology Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree | Caltech Archives.
  32. Web site: Paul Beattie MacCready. 2021-10-05. American Academy of Arts & Sciences. en.
  33. Web site: Honorary Degrees Since 1702. yale.edu. Yale University. 26 May 2018.
  34. Annual awards. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 1984. 65. 6. 611–620. American meteorological society. 10.1175/1520-0477-65.6.611. 1984BAMS...65..611.. free.
  35. Web site: Maccready Papers. library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. 26 May 2018.
  36. Web site: Awards and Ceremonies. odysseyofthemind.com. Creative Competitions. 28 May 2018.
  37. Web site: Guggenheim Medal Recipients. guggenheimmedal.org. Guggenheim. 14 May 2018.
  38. Web site: National Air And Space Museum Trophy. airandspace.si.edu. Smithsonian Institution. 15 May 2018.
  39. Web site: List of enshrinees. nationalaviation.org. National Aviation Hall of Fame. 15 May 2018.
  40. Web site: William E. Boeing Distinguished Lecture 2004. engineering.purdue.edu. Purdue University. 26 May 2018.
  41. Web site: Scientists of the Year. san-diego.arcsfoundation.org. Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation. 26 May 2018.
  42. Web site: Subjects & Objects: The Chrysler Award for Innovation in Design. library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. 26 May 2018.
  43. Web site: List of Honorary Members. ametsoc.org. American Meteorological Society. 26 May 2018.
  44. Web site: Ralph Coats Roe Medal. asme.org. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 26 May 2018.
  45. Web site: Howard Hughes Memorial Award. aeroclubsocal.org. So Cal Aero Club. 26 May 2018. August 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180809192151/http://www.aeroclubsocal.org/foryou/hhma/. dead.
  46. Book: Rittner. Don. A to Z of Scientists in Weather and Climate. 2003. Facts on File, Inc.. United States of America. 0816047979. 105–107.
  47. Web site: 1999 Engineering Awards. designnews.com. October 26, 2016. UBM Americas. 28 May 2018.
  48. Web site: Aviation Week Network's Laureate Awards Past Winners . laureates.aviationweek.com . Informa PLC . 31 May 2018.
  49. Web site: Environmental Heroes . philatelia.net . Dmitry Karasyuk . 30 May 2018.
  50. Web site: Hoyt Clark Hottel Award . ases.org . American Solar Energy Society . 30 May 2018.
  51. Web site: Walker Prize. mos.org. Museum of Science, Boston. 15 May 2018.
  52. Web site: The International von Karman Wings Award. galcit.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. 15 May 2018.
  53. Web site: APS Member History. 2021-10-05. search.amphilsoc.org.
  54. Web site: The Heinz Awards . heinzawards.net . The Heinz Awards . 9 June 2018.
  55. Web site: The Franklin Institute Awards. fi.edu. January 10, 2014 . The Franklin Institute. 15 May 2018.
  56. Web site: The Pantheon of Skeptics. CSI. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. 30 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170131054129/http://www.csicop.org/about/the_pantheon_of_skeptics. 31 January 2017. live.
  57. Web site: 51 Heroes and Heroines of Aviation - FLYING Magazine. September 10, 2020 .
  58. Web site: National Inventors Hall of Fame. invent.org. National Inventors Hall of Fame. 26 May 2018.
  59. Web site: Kurtz. Paul. Paul Kurtz. Is Secular Humanism a Religion?. theharbinger.org. The Harbinger. 15 May 2018.
  60. Web site: Laureates of the International Academy of Humanism. secularhumanism.org. Council for Secular Humanism. 15 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330192331/https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/3258. March 30, 2018. dead.
  61. Web site: A Skeptical View : Doubting Academics Waging a Flamboyant Battle to Debunk Society's Fascination With Popular Theories . . April 21, 1985 . 31 May 2018.
  62. Web site: Advisory Council . ncse.com . . https://web.archive.org/web/20130810112828/https://ncse.com/about/advisory-council . 2013-08-10 . 2018-10-30.
  63. Web site: A Fond Farewell to Jerry Andrus & Paul MacCready . Shermer. Michael. Michael Shermer. skeptic.com . September 5, 2007 . The Skeptics Society . 31 May 2018.
  64. Web site: Skepticism Loses Two Stars . skeptic.com . September 5, 2007 . The Skeptics Society . 7 June 2018.
  65. Web site: Nature vs. humans. www.ted.com. October 22, 2008 . TED. 14 May 2018.
  66. Web site: A Flight on Solar Wings . ted.com . September 26, 2007 . TED Conferences, LLC . 31 May 2018.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Paul MacCready".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.