Ivan A. Getting, 1912 - 2003 | 
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Ivan A. Getting was born in New York City in 1912. An Edison scholar, he earned his B.S. in Physics from MIT in 1933. He attended Oxford University as a graduate Rhodes scholar and earned his D.Phil. in Astrophysics in 1935. During most of his career Ivan Getting directed his scientific, technical, and administrative energies to the support of the U.S. defense effort. His leadership as a "military scientist" was recognized by his election as president of The Aerospace Corporation when it was established at the request of the Secretary of the Air Force in 1960. Under Dr. Getting's direction (1960-78), the company grew into one of the nation's key scientific and engineering resources for ballistic missile and space engineering. Perhaps his most important lasting contribution was the development and implementation of the Navstar navigation system. He is now president-emeritus of the corporation. Ivan Getting's scientific career began in 1935 at Harvard University. As Harvard Fellow, his research involved cosmic rays and nuclear physics. In 1940, he went to the MIT Radiation Laboratory as director of the Division on Fire Control and Army Radar, where his group developed the first automatic microwave tracking fire control radar-the SCR 584-which was credited with helping to save London from destruction by V-1 buzz bombs during World War II. He also led the development of the Navy GFCS MK-56 anti-aircraft fire control system. He was head of the Naval Fire Control Section of the Office of Scientific Research and Development and a member of the Combined Chiefs of Staff Committee on Searchlight and Fire Control. He also served as special consultant to Secretary Stimson on the use of radar by the Army. From 1945-50, Dr. Getting was professor of Electrical Engineering at MIT and head of the Radar Panel of the Research and Development Board of the Department of Defense. From 1950-51, he devoted full-time service to the Korean War effort as assistant for Development and Planning for the Air Force. From 1951-60, Dr. Getting served as vice president, Research and Engineering at Raytheon Company and also provided technical assistance to U.S. government agencies. Dr. Getting is the recipient of the U.S. Medal of Merit (1948); the Air Force Exceptional Service Award (1960); the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Pioneer Award (1975); the Kitty Hawk Award (1975). He was made Hon. D.Sc. at Northeastern University (1956) and the University of Southern California (1986). He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the International Academy of Astronautics, an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a Fellow of the IEEE, the American Physical Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Getting and his wife, Dorothea, who passed away in 1976, had three children: Nancy, who is a counselor; Ivan, a geophysicist; and Peter, a professor of Physiology. He is now married to the former Helen A. Griggs. His outside interests include playing the piano, sailing, and orchid growing. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Northrop Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan. Dr. Getting was awarded the 1989 IEEE Founders Medal "For leadership of critical programs and enterprises in radar; advanced electronics, space and navigation as well as service to the engineering profession." (Editor's Note: Dr. Getting passed away on 11 October 2003 at his home in Coronado, CA.) From the IEEE 1989 Medals Presentation Brochure Click here to read the IEEE History Center's Oral History with Dr. Getting |
