Robert McNeesApr 6, 2023

Engineer and photographer Harold Edgerton was born #OTD in 1903.

Edgerton pioneered various forms of high-speed photography using specialized cameras, strobe lighting, and other techniques. You’ve probably seen many of the images he created!

Images: MIT; H. Edgerton

Show threadJP MattiaApr 6, 2023
@mcnees Doc Edgerton was quite a fixture on MIT's campus, pretty much until the end. The last time I ran into him was in front of the old MIT Career Office, on my way home from the TA ghetto in building 26. 1/
Show threadJP MattiaApr 6, 2023

@mcnees
It was late in the day, and as I walked past, he was standing with his hands clasped behind his back, reading the bulletin board with job opportunities. Being the grad-student smartass that I was, I piped up and said "Looking for a career change Doc?" He smiled at me and replied "It's never too late, you know!"

He passed away a couple of weeks after that. I prefer to think of it as a career change. 2/

Show threadJP Mattia
@mcnees
Doc Edgerton achieved larger-than-life status culturally, but he was a down-to-earth inspiration for many of us, and it was an honor to have known him, even a little. 3/3
Apr 6, 2023 at 6:00pmWeb
Show threadRobert McNeesApr 6, 2023
@jpmattia This is a great story.