Bio: Brian R. Bennett received all his degrees from MIT: SB and SM in geophysics and PhD in materials science and engineering. He conducted research at the Naval Research Laboratory for 22 years. He is currently Program Officer for Electromagnetic Materials at the Office of Naval Research and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Abstract: The creation of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in 1923 and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in 1946 were pivotal events in the development of science and technology for the U.S. Navy and the nation. I will discuss the historical conditions that led to the creation of NRL and ONR including development of industrial research laboratories in the early part of the 20th Century and university research for the military during the second World War. I will present examples of technologies developed by NRL and ONR including radar and GPS. Finally, I will discuss employment opportunities at NRL, ONR programs to fund research at universities, and my program in electromagnetic materials.