Davenport and Getting

BBC Films RADAR Pioneers in Monmouth County as part of "Science at War" Series

At the age of thirty Ivan Getting was in charge of a Rad Lab project that would prove to have war-changing success. Working with Lee Davenport the RAD Lab team developed and perfected, at break-neck pace, a complete gun-laying radar system based upon the cavity magnetron. Combined with the proximity fuse the Axis bombers and later V-1 rockets were knocked out of the sky. The method of war employed early in World War II known as 'Blitz-kreig' was based upon surprise and air-power supremacy. The SCR-584 took the 'Blitz' away from Hitler and contributed mightly to the Allied victory.  Camp Evans was responsible for the production engineering of the SCR-584 and the incorporation of IFF  into the radar unit.

Want to learn the complete RAD Lab story?

Robert Buderi tells the story of the pioneering work of these two men. Read his book on the RAD LAB contributions.

Sandy Hook Visitor Center, April 1998

In April 1998 the British Broadcasting Corporation asked Lee Davenport and Ivan Getting to return to the birthplace of U.S. Army Signal Corps long-wave RADAR, Fort Hancock for filming of the BBC 'Science at War' series. Dr. Davenport and Dr. Getting were at Fort Hancock the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor briefing the Signal Corps on the latest developments on the XT-1. Prior to the start of filming InfoAge presented Dr. Davenport and Dr. Getting with plaques of rememberance for their contributions to RADAR sciences and the resulting Allied victory.

Upon presentation Dr. Davenport and Dr. Getting were reminded...

"There are many families in the United States and the United Kingdom who have sons, fathers, and now grand-fathers thanks to your efforts. Your efforts helped provide the Allied forces the cutting-edge radar devices that helped bring about the Allied victory"

Dr. Davenport and Dr. Getting are two of the dedicated scientists who battled the Axis scientists in a measure/counter-measure style of warfare. They used knowledge and expertise to defeat or nullify every electronic weapon the Axis used against Allied forces. There are memorials to the people who faced the enemy in battle. The Diana site, at Camp Evans, is the most appropiate place to thank these talented scientists who provided the Allied forces the cutting-edge technology that saved Allied lives and eliminated Axis forces and weapons effectively.

Thanks to Teresa Hunt and Amelia Hann of the BBC for allowing time from their packed filming schedule for this presentation. Once completed they sent us a copy of their excellent video for our library.  The British people are greatful for the achievements of these talented and distinguished scientists from the MIT Rad Lab and so are we.

A photo found in the National Archives with the SCR-584 with a story of how the first 12 units deployed at the Anzio, Italy beachhead saved the landing.

Dr. Getting kindly sent InfoAge library a signed copy his book:  "All in a Lifetime"

We are sad to report that Dr. Getting passed away in 2003.

Page updated February 12 2006  page created 1998.