Nationality American Fields Electrical engineering | Role Electrical engineer Name Lloyd Espenschied Awards IEEE Medal of Honor | |
Born April 2, 1889
St. Louis, Missouri ( 1889-04-02 ) Died June 1, 1986, Flushing, New York City, New York, United States Notable awards IEEE Medal of Honor (1940) Education Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Pratt Institute | ||
Residence United States of America | ||
Lloyd Espenschied (27 April 1889 – June 1, 1986) was an American electrical engineer who invented the modern coaxial cable with Herman Andrew Affel.
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Biography
Lloyd Espenschied (born in Baden, North St. Louis, Missouri on April 27, 1889) was the son of Frederick F. (Fred) Espenschied (January 3, 1856 - July 22, 1908) and Clara M. Espenschied. He had two siblings, Frederic F. and Clare.
In 1875, Lloyd's father Frederick (Fred) graduated from the St. Louis Law School (which is today part of Washington University). Fred served as private secretary to his brother-in-law Mayor Henry von Overstolz. Under Mayor David R. Francis, Fred later became City Treasurer before becoming State Senator from 1891-93. Fred married Clara M. Espenschied of Brooklyn, New York on July 19, 1880. They had three children, including Frederic F., Clare, and Lloyd.
Lloyd's grandfather was a successful Western wagon-maker. Louis Espenschied, who was Fred's father, was the owner of Louis Espenschied Wagon Co.
Early life and education
At the age of twelve, Lloyd's father died. He accompanied his mother back to her parents' home in Brooklyn, New York in 1901. By 1904, he was already exploring wireless and became an amateur radio operator. He later worked for the United Wireless Telegraph Company. He graduated from the Pratt Institute in electrical engineering in 1909.
Career
Espenschied worked as an engineer for Telefunken Wireless Telegraph Company from 1909-1910. He later worked for American Telephone and Telegraph Company, before directing high-frequency transmission development for Bell Telephone Laboratories.
In 1916 while at Bell Telephone Laboratories, he co-created with Herman Affel, the first modern coaxial cable, which paved the way for television. The cable advanced long distance telephone service, making it possible to carry thousands of simultaneous phone calls on long distance circuits. In 1924, he invented the radio altimeter. Espenschied was the holder of more than 100 patents in both wire and radio communication systems.
Personal life
In April, 1912, Espenschied married another Pratt student Ethel Fairfield Lovejoy, known as "Lovey". Lloyd was an avid genealogist of the Espenschied/Esbenshade/Espenshade family, visiting Germany for the purpose of extensive research.
While abroad, Espenschied was able to ascertain the German background of his family. Returning to St. Louis in 1937-38 to trace the American family pattern, he discovered that the original Louis Espenschied wagon plant and home were gone and that the Luedinghaus-Espenschied Wagon Company had been deserted.
Lloyd Espenschied died on June 1, 1986 at a nursing home in Holmdel, New Jersey.