CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK AMERICANS - Introduction
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CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK AMERICANS
TO
ELECTRONIC RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT,
PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION, AND TRAINING
AT
FORT MONMOUTH

1940-1982

BY THOMAS E. DANIELS

ELECTRONIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND

COMBAT SURVEILLANCE AND TARGET ACQUISITION LABORATORY

FEBRUARY    1983

evans logo

The intent or purpose of this booklet is as follows:

1. To promote an awareness of technological contributions 
    by blacks collectively at Fort Monmouth.
2. To promote an awareness of blacks in many nontraditional 
    areas of technology, science, and engineering.
3. To promote an awareness of many high level black men and 
    women, including military who served at Fort Monmouth.
4. To inspire youths, particularly blacks and minorities,
    to consider science and engineering careers by providing role models.
5. To dispel the myths that blacks can only achieve in 
    sports and entertainment.


I. INTRODUCTION

    The intent or purpose of this booklet is as follows:
1. To promote an awareness of technological contributions by blacks collectively at Fort Monmouth.
2. To promote an awareness of blacks in many nontraditional areas of technology, science, and engineering.
3. To promote an awareness of many high level black men and women, including military who served at Fort Monmouth.
4. To inspire youths, particularly blacks and minorities, to consider science and engineering careers by providing role models.
5. To dispel the myths that blacks can only achieve in sports and entertainment.
    A number of booklets on black scientists and engineers are currently available, including charts, in the open literature. Yet, the author has been unable to find one which portrays the many contributions made by even one scientist or engineer at Fort Monmouth. Such a booklet is long overdue which addresses collectively the many significant and outstanding contributions made by blacks not only to the mission of Fort Monmouth but to the nation and the world.
    Little is known outside Fort Monmouth of the many contributions made and still being made by blacks in what has been nontraditional occupations for blacks. Blacks have distinguished themselves in radar, avionics, communications, includ-ing satellites, electronic warfare, meteorology, infrared, optics, antennas, electronic components, computer science, automatic data processing, technology areas and in maintenance, procurement, and supply areas.
    They have invented many devices and equipments used by the Army. They have forged new frontiers in science. Their calculations have been used to send signals to the moon. They have published scientific and engineering papers, made presentations before prestigious technical societies, both national and international. They have designed and developed systems for test and for use by the military. They have procured and maintained billions of dollars worth of electronic equipment used by the US Army and other services. In addition, they have contributed to the training of thousands of military and civilians in radar, communications, automatic data processing, electronic countermeasures and many other fields in electronics.
    Some of the blacks have received many awards, citations, fellowships, and recognitions by the US Army, technical societies, and others for their contributions. Many have received patents for their scientific discoveries.
    The engineers, scientists, mathematicians, technicians, and other support personnel, both civilian and military identified in this booklet, represent the "tip of the iceberg" of contributions by black Americans to science, technology, and engineering at Fort Monmouth. The full story is yet to be written and told.
    The personnel depicted herein cover the period 1940 through 1982. While Fort Monmouth has been generally known as the center of electronic developments for the US Army, it probably has been the work place for the largest assembly of black scientists, engineers and technologists in the US Army, possibly in the country or the world.
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