The mathematician, the scientist, the engineer

THAT A MAN with my particular kind of talents, abilities, and personality should win a high engineering honor may seem very remarkable. Particularly is this the case for the Edison Medal, where the emphasis naturally would be put on achievement in practical invention, the founding or furthering of new industry, or the advancement of applied technology. The dominant interest of my youth, and the kind of formal education it led me to acquire, certainly did not presage distinction in such fields.