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Memorial Tributes Volume 10 (2002) / Chapter Skim
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Elmer P. Wheaton
Pages 240-247

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From page 241...
... and former vice-president/general manager of the Research and Development Division, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, and corporate vice-president of engineering, Douglas Aircraft Corporation, died at Stanford Hospital on December 2S, 1997, at the age of eighty-eight. Elmer Wheaton was a trail-blazing engineer who lived in Portola Valley, California, for over thirty-five years, a beautiful estate area supporting Silicon Valley.
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From page 242...
... On high school graduation in 1929, he won a prize for an essay entitled "The Commercial Possibilities of Aviation." The paper reviewed the histor,v of aviation, the technologies required, the present status, and the future potential an accurate prediction and the direction of Elmer's early career. As a result of his high school experiences, Elmer obtained his higher education at Pomona College, majoring in physics.
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From page 243...
... The job involved working on sound track recordings and the associated filter networks to permit correction of the problems in recording voices of certain silent screen stars. All of Elmer's physics background, including his work on electrometer fibers was involved.
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From page 244...
... With the start of World War II, there was a major expansion within the aircraft industry, with new divisions being formed within Douglas, and the departure of a few senior executives to start their own companies. The growing interest in missiles and his demonstrated advanced research and development capabilit,v vaulted Elmer into the role of chief missiles project engineer at Douglas in 1945.
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From page 245...
... The results reflected that approach, with the formation of a "greenhouse" of highly successful programs in ground vehicles, ocean systems, airborne systems, information systems, and nuclear test services. My long and productive personal relationship with Elmer resulted from my Project Enterprise proposal to develop ocean systems, a direct application of aerospace technology and a major opportunity for the corporation.
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From page 246...
... Thompson Award for Outstanding Civilian Leadership from the Navy League of the United States, the Aerospace Contribution to Society Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Oceanic Engineering Society. Elmer Wheaton's most treasured award was his election to the National Academy of Engineering in 1967 as one of the earliest aerospace industry executives so honored.
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From page 247...
... Elmer P Wheaton was truly an inspirational leader in aerospace research and engineering, an industry giant, a pioneer in his field, and a wonderful and faithful friend.
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