George Economou (scientist)

George Aristotle Economou (June 24, 1923 – April 2, 2003) was an American optical systems expert, who helped set up special cameras to photograph and study the first test of the atomic bomb in 1945. He was instrumental in the development of the atomic bomb at Los Alamos, working on the Manhattan Project under scientific director Robert Oppenheimer.

For other people with the same name, see George Economou.
George Aristotle Economou
Benjamin C. Benjamin and George A. Economou (right) preparing Torpex charges
Born(1923-06-24)June 24, 1923
Manchester, New Hampshire, US
DiedApril 2, 2003(2003-04-02) (aged 79)
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Known forHelping to conceptualize and set up special cameras to photograph and study the first test of the atomic bomb in 1945
Scientific career
InstitutionsPolaroid Corporation; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Contraves Goerz Corporation

Life

Born in 1923 in Manchester, New Hampshire, Economou built his first telescope at the age of 12. After studying astronomy and astrophysics at Harvard University, his career began at the Polaroid Corporation. In 1944, he joined the United States Army and was assigned to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he helped conceptualize camera lenses used to photograph bomb tests.

At Contraves, he was later involved in the design of ground station optical instrumentation for GEODSS.[1][2]

Economou officially retired in 1990 as Group Vice President, Optical Instruments for the Contraves Goerz Corporation in O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania, but continued to work on some of the industry's more high-profile projects, such as consulting for design and construction of the Large Millimeter Telescope.[3] He died of lung cancer aged 79 on April 2, 2003, at Allegheny General Hospital.

Notes
  1. Kelso, T.S. "Real-World Benchmarking", Satellite Times, November 1996. (mentions Contraves as designer and manufacturer of GEODSS during the period Mr. Economou was Group Vice President)
  2. ""FedBizOpps request citing Contraves as original developer of GEODSS"". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  3. Obituary: George A. Economou / Authority on large telescopes

References
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