1999/10/01 by B.A. Austin · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Arts and Humanities · #History and Developments in Astronomy #Twentieth Century Scientific Developments #History of Science and Medicine #Watson #Watt #Memorandum #Radar #Nothing #Simple (philosophy) #Computer science #Epistemology #Telecommunications #Philosophy #Political science #Physics #Law #Artificial intelligence #Quantum mechanics
paper · doi:10.7227/ijeee.36.4.10
openalex publication_date 1999/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
In this paper we examine the famous unpublished memorandum of 1935 in which R. A. Watson-Watt proposed the principles of radar. Starting from the numerical results he quoted, we show how he arrived at his conclusions using nothing more than simple calculations. The origins of an important modern technology are to be found in a combination of prescience and fundamental engineering skills.