75th ANNIVERSARY VIDEO:
GTRI "The Solution Institution"

75th anniversary video
The 75 year history of GTRI is one filled with intrigue, innovation and impact. Learn about GTRI's exciting past, present and future. View video
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History Makers

Leading our standards of excellence

Since its inception, the Georgia Tech Research Institute and its predecessor, the State Engineering Experiment Station, have attracted our nation’s foremost innovators. Their accomplishments have enabled GTRI to do everything that it does today.

Up until Director Donald Grace, 1976-1992, all the individuals listed below were directors of the Engineering Experiment Station. Our name changed during Donald Grace's tenure, so he was director of EES / GTRI. He was also the first to retain the title Vice President of the Georgia Institute of Techology. The directors who followed him were directors of GTRI and Georgia Tech Vice Presidents. To learn more, select a hyperlinked title:

GTRI was instrumental in founding the technology organization, Scientific-Atlanta. Today, at least 100 high-tech, Atlanta companies can trace their roots to Scientific-Atlanta. To learn more, select the following link:

In Their Own Words

The Georgia Tech Living History Program has also captured the stories of a number of influential GTRI researchers and administrators who retired after long and successful careers. Through the following video clips, these individuals share some of their most memorable EES/GTRI stories.

Of Course, It Was the Right Thing To Do

Dr. Don Grace, GTRI director from 1976 – 1993, recalls the infamous tale of the duplication of the discovery of cold fusion and the subsequent need to admit the error to the media. It was recorded on December 7, 2006.

The Wonder of the Electronic Microscope

Research scientist John Brown, PHY 1950, an expert in the use of the electronic microscope talks about his work at EES and how the serendipitous opportunity to work with the microscope came about. It was recorded on September 9, 2008.

Breaking New Ground

Kay Powell worked in an EES field station in the ‘70s as an economic developer in the Augusta area. Women were new in field work and Kay managed to break not only that barrier but a few more. Her story was recorded on December 8, 2006.

Success at Home Leads to Travel Abroad

Veteran researcher Richard C. Johnston, TE 1948, was at EES when multiple successes led to the development of international programs. It was recorded on September 10, 1998.

What’s In a Name?

When Glen Robinson, PHY ’48 and MS PHY ’50, went to work at EES as a student at Tech, there was talk about starting a company but it didn’t happen until years later. That company became Scientific Atlanta but that wasn’t its original name. It was recorded on August 31, 1995.

The Creation of the "Chicken Building"

Dr. Edward Reedy, Honorary 2004, and director of GTRI from 1996-2003, knowing the need for a research facility to work with the poultry industry in Georgia, created a public/private partnership to get the job done. The end result is an asset to Georgia Tech, GTRI, and the State of Georgia. The story was recorded on January 23, 2009.

A Student Worker to Worker of Students

Dr. Maurice Long, EE 1946, PhD Physics 1959, served as director of EES from 1968 to 1975. He recalls how he was hired at the Research Center while a student. He comments on the valuable contributions that students make and the experience they gain during such employment. The story was recorded on February 27, 1996.

From Researcher to Engineer to Manager

Kathy Schlag, MS AM 1977 and MS IE 1980, recalls the various stages of her career with GTRI as she gained experience and earned her degrees. Her story was recorded on February 06, 2008.

Using Microwave Ovens Before There Were Any

Georgia Tech alumnus George Jeffares, CH E ’46, recalls his early days of working at EES as a student, especially the endless chunks of sweet potatoes being cooked in a “box” that a professor was testing. It was recorded on August 19, 1997.

Research in Cobb County

Physicist Dorothy Brown worked for EES/GTRI at two periods of her life. The latter years were from 1975 through 1989 and included work at the former Lockheed Facility. She recalls the circumstances of the move to what is now called the GTRI Cobb County Research Facility, and the kind of work she was doing there. The story was recorded on September 9, 2008.

Candid Comments from Back in the Day

Fred Dyer, PHYS 1957 and MS PHYS 1961, recalls his first project at EES and others along the way. He tells about staff he worked with and what they accomplished back in the 50s and 60s. The story was recorded on June 19, 1998.

Growing Pains and Finding Space

Janice Rogers literally started at the bottom and worked her way up the ladder at EES/GTRI. She recalls the growth and the moves as labs and offices were added to handle all of the work. It was recorded on September 25, 2006.

Beginnings of Biomedical Electronics

Dr. H. Allen Ecker, EE 1957, MS EE 1959, remembers his early days at EES, how his career flourished and the introduction of biomedical electronics into the research. It was recorded on February 28, 1996.

What is a Solar Furnace? And the Answer Is…

Martha Clayton-Lee, BS 1975, BS ME 1984, MS ME 1985 worked at the Research Station as artist and researcher. One of her special projects involved Georgia Tech’s Solar Furnace. She explains its purpose and describes it in detail. The story was recorded on July 16, 2008.

W. Harry Vaughan ›