Name Mervin Kelly | ||
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Mervin Joe Kelly (February 14, 1895 Princeton, Missouri – March 18, 1971) was an American physicist, and director of Bell Labs from 1951-1959.
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Life
He graduated from University of Kentucky in 1915. He worked at Western Electric Company, from 1918 to 1925. He was a long time researcher at Bell Labs, becoming president from 1951 to 1959. He formed the research group which developed the transistor, led by William Shockley.
In 1961, he advised NASA Administrator James E. Webb.
His work for the World War II effort was classified. He was asked several times to take government positions, but always refused.
He traveled overseas to Europe to promote the work Bell Labs was doing. He had a regimented day, that began with tulip gardening at 5 am, having his driver drive at top speed to work, and after work reading until 12. After he retired, he worked for IBM as a consultant.