Paul MacCready
MacCready shows a cross section of the Helios Prototype wing spar.
Born
Paul Beattie MacCready Jr.

September 25, 1925 (1925-09-25)
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedAugust 28, 2007 (2007-08-29) (aged 81)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Education
OccupationEngineer
Engineering career
ProjectsAeroVironment

Paul B. MacCready Jr. (September 25, 1925 – August 28, 2007) was an American aeronautical engineer. He was the founder of AeroVironment and the designer of the human-powered aircraft that won the first Kremer prize. He devoted his life to developing more efficient transportation vehicles that could "do more with less".[1]

Early life and education

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, to a medical family, MacCready was an inventor from an early age and won a national contest building a model flying machine at the age of 15. "I was always the smallest kid in the class ... by a good bit, and was not especially coordinated, and certainly not the athlete type, who enjoyed running around outside, and was socially kind of immature, not the comfortable leader, teenager type. And so, when I began getting into model airplanes, and getting into contests and creating new things, I probably got more psychological benefit from that than I would have from some of the other typical school things."[2]

MacCready graduated from Hopkins School in 1943 and then trained as a US Navy pilot before the end of World War II. He received a BS in physics from Yale University in 1947, an MS in physics from Caltech in 1948, and a PhD in aeronautics from Caltech in 1952.[3] His doctoral dissertation Investigation of Atmospheric Turbulence was supervised by Homer Joseph Stewart.[4][5] In 1951, MacCready founded his first company, Meteorology Research Inc, to do atmospheric research. Some of MacCready's work as a graduate student involved cloud seeding, and he was an early pioneer of the use of aircraft to study meteorological phenomena.[2]

Career and achievements

He started gliding after World War II and was a three-time winner (1948, 1949, 1953) of the Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy,[6] awarded annually to the U.S. National Open Class Soaring Champion. In 1956, he became the first American pilot to become the World Soaring Champion. He invented a device that told pilots the best speed to fly a glider, depending on conditions and based on the glider's rate of sink at different air-speeds. Sailplane pilots still use the "MacCready speed ring",[7] and still adjust the "MacCready Number" (abbreviated MC) within their flight instruments, to optimize their flying speed.

In the 1970s, he guaranteed a business loan for a friend, which subsequently failed, leaving him with a $100,000 debt. This was the motivation he needed to compete for the £50,000 Kremer prize for human-powered flight, which had been on offer for 18 years. With Dr. Peter B.S. Lissaman, he created a human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Condor. The Condor stayed aloft for seven minutes while it completed the required figure eight course, thereby winning the first Kremer prize in August 1977. The award-winning plane was constructed of aluminium tubing, plastic foam, piano wire, bicycle parts, and mylar foil for covering.[8]

Kremer then offered another £100,000 for the first human-powered crossing of the English Channel. MacCready took up the challenge and in 1979, he built the Condor's successor, the Gossamer Albatross, and won the second Kremer prize, successfully flying from England to France.[9] He also received the Collier Trophy, which is awarded annually for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics, for his design and construction of the Albatross.[2]

The Gossamer Penguin in flight

He later created solar-powered aircraft such as the Gossamer Penguin and the Solar Challenger.[10] He was involved in the development of NASA's solar-powered flying wings such as the Helios, which surpassed the SR-71's altitude records and could theoretically fly on Mars (where the atmosphere is thin, with little oxygen).[11] MacCready also collaborated with General Motors on the design of the Sunraycer, a solar-powered car, and then on the EV-1 electric car.[10][12]

In 1985, he was commissioned to build a halfscale[13] working replica of the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus for the Smithsonian Institution, following a workshop in 1984, which concluded that such a replica was feasible.[14] The completed remote-controlled flying reptile, with a wingspan of 18 feet,[15] was filmed over Death Valley, California in 1986 for the Smithsonian's IMAX film On the Wing.[16][17] It flew successfully several times before being severely damaged in a crash at an airshow at Andrews AFB in Maryland.[15] The launch of the pterosaur model came off well but the radio transmitter link failed, perhaps because of the interference from some of the many base communications devices. The model nosed over and crashed at the runway side, breaking at the neck from the force of impact.[18]

MacCready helped to sponsor the Nissan Dempsey/MacCready Prize which has helped to motivate developments in racing-bicycle technology, applying aerodynamics and new materials to allow for faster human-powered vehicles.[19]

He was the founder (in 1971) and Chairman of AeroVironment Inc., a public company (AVAV) that develops unmanned surveillance aircraft and advanced power systems. AV flew a prototype of the first airplane to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, the Global Observer.[20]

MacCready died on August 28, 2007, from metastatic melanoma. He was an atheist and a skeptic.[21] He was survived by his wife Judy, his three sons Parker, Tyler and Marshall and two grandchildren.[22]

Awards and honors

Other interests

MacCready was a secular humanist, which he defined as someone who "does not believe in God, and doesn't steal."[65] He was a laureate of the International Academy of Humanism.[66]

He was involved with scientific skepticism from its early days, being a member of the board of directors of the Southern California Skeptics in 1985.[67] Skeptic and author Michael Shermer credits MacCready with his introduction to the skeptical movement.[68] MacCready was admitted posthumously to the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry's Pantheon of Skeptics in 2011.

Since 2013, MacCready has been listed on the Advisory Council of the National Center for Science Education.[69]

MacCready was also a passionate environmentalist who was concerned about humanity's role in the depletion of natural resources. "Environmentally conscious, technologically clever, and culturally grand, Paul wanted to change the world through reason, intelligence, and creativity", Shermer wrote of him in an obituary.[68]

Appearances

MacCready lectured widely at both industry and educational venues, with an emphasis on creativity. Enthusiastic about spreading his message to as many as possible, he would speak to anyone he thought he could influence, including children. Michael Shermer described his delivery as "completely unpretentious, conversing in the same manner whether he was talking to a room full of undergraduate students or Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners."[70] In February 1998, MacCready spoke at a TED conference on the topic of nature versus humans, continuing his environmental theme of "doing more with less".[71] And in February, 2003 he delivered another TED talk entitled "A Flight on Solar Wings"[72]

Quotes

Over billions of years on a unique sphere, chance has painted a thin covering of life -- complex, improbable, wonderful and fragile. Suddenly, we humans, (a recently arrived species, no longer subject to the checks and balances inherent in nature), have grown in population, technology and intelligence to a position of terrible power: we now wield the paintbrush.[71]

Anyone who's not interested in model airplanes must have a screw loose somewhere[10]

I'm more interested in a world that works than what sells[73]

Publications

  • Paul MacCready (November 1985), "The Great Pterodactyl Project" (PDF), Engineering & Science: 18–24, retrieved October 20, 2010
  • Paul MacCready (1995), Unleashing Creativity, A keynote presentation at the Lemelson Center's symposium, "The Inventor and the Innovative Society," November 10, 1995, archived from the original on October 20, 2010, retrieved October 20, 2010

References

  1. ↑ "AeroVironment, Inc.: Gossamer Albatross: 30th Anniversary". Avinc.com. June 12, 1979. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "Our Enshrinees". nationalaviation.org. NAHF. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Interview with Paul B. MacCready". library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  4. ↑ Paul B. MacCready at the Mathematics Genealogy Project
  5. ↑ MacCready, Paul B. (1952). Investigation of atmospheric turbulence by Paul B. MacCready. CaltechTHESIS, A Caltech Library Service (phd). doi:10.7907/F8AR-VH67.
  6. ↑ "Unofficial Listing of the Soaring Society of America Badges and Awards: The Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy". September 12, 1943. Archived from the original on October 25, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Paul Maccready". lemelson.mit.edu. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Paul B. MacCready, 81; inventor of human-powered aircraft, other innovations". Los Angeles Times. August 30, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Paul MacCready Obituary". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group Limited. August 31, 2007. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Martin, Douglas (August 31, 2007). "P. B. MacCready, 81, Inventor, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Flying Wing Soars To Record Height". cbsnews.com. CBS Interactive Inc. August 13, 2001. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  12. ↑ "GM EV1 and the Los Angeles City Council (53 items) | MacCready Papers". maccready.library.caltech.edu. January 22, 1996.
  13. ↑ "Unmanned Aircraft Systems", UAS Advanced Development, AeroVironment, archived from the original on May 4, 2014, retrieved October 20, 2010
  14. ↑ Browne, Malcolm W (May 28, 1985), "Next best thing to a pterosaur nears first attempt at flight", The New York Times, retrieved October 20, 2010
  15. 1 2 Benningfield, Damond (September–October 1986), "Manmade reptile allows scientists to study flying", The Alcalde, (University of Texas at Austin, alumni magazine): 43, retrieved October 20, 2010
  16. ↑ Anderson, Ian (October 10, 1985), "Winged lizard takes to the air of California", New Scientist (1477): 31, retrieved October 20, 2010
  17. ↑ Schefter, Jim (March 1986), "Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane it's a pterodactyl", Popular Science: 78–79, 124, retrieved October 20, 2010
  18. ↑ "The Mechanical Pterosaurus Wrecks Thousands Watch as Crash Ends Performance of Reptile Replica". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  19. ↑ "This is a bike. Trust us". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Aerovironment's Global Observer: Flying High, Again". Defence Industry Daily. Defense Industry Daily. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  21. ↑ "International Academy of Humanism". secularhumanism.org. Council for Secular Humanism. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Pioneer MacCready dies". flightglobal.com. Reed Business Information. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  23. ↑ "United States Hall of Fame". soaringmuseum.org. National Soaring Museum. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  24. ↑ "The Lilienthal Gliding Medal" (PDF). fai.org. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  25. ↑ "An E&AS Who's Who: Recipients of the Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award" (PDF). Caltech Campus Pubs. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Collier 1970-1979 Recipients". naa.aero. The National Aeronautic Association. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Reed Aeronautics Award Recipients". aiaa.org. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  28. ↑ Geyelin, Peter. "Letter of congratulations". library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Spirit of St. Louis Medal". asme.org. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Inventor Paul MacCready to Speak at Caltech". caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "OSTIV Awards". ostiv.org. Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Wylam, William (June 2011). "Biographical Memoirs" (PDF). Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 155: 217–224. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Dr. Paul B. MacCready, Jr. 1982 Recipient". lindberghfoundation.org. The Lindbergh Foundation. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  35. ↑ "Paul B. MacCready, Ph.D. Biography and Interview". www.achievement.org. Academy of Achievement.
  36. ↑ "Award certificate". library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Stevens Institute of Technology Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree | Caltech Archives".
  38. ↑ "Paul Beattie MacCready". American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Honorary Degrees Since 1702". yale.edu. Yale University. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Annual awards". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. American meteorological society. 65 (6): 611–620. 1984. Bibcode:1984BAMS...65..611.. doi:10.1175/1520-0477-65.6.611.
  41. ↑ "Maccready Papers". library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Awards and Ceremonies". odysseyofthemind.com. Creative Competitions. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Guggenheim Medal Recipients". guggenheimmedal.org. Guggenheim. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  44. ↑ "National Air And Space Museum Trophy". airandspace.si.edu. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  45. ↑ "List of enshrinees". nationalaviation.org. National Aviation Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  46. ↑ "William E. Boeing Distinguished Lecture 2004". engineering.purdue.edu. Purdue University. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Scientists of the Year". san-diego.arcsfoundation.org. Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Subjects & Objects: The Chrysler Award for Innovation in Design". library.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  49. ↑ "List of Honorary Members". ametsoc.org. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Ralph Coats Roe Medal". asme.org. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Howard Hughes Memorial Award". aeroclubsocal.org. So Cal Aero Club. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  52. ↑ Rittner, Don (2003). A to Z of Scientists in Weather and Climate. United States of America: Facts on File, Inc. pp. 105–107. ISBN 0816047979.
  53. ↑ "1999 Engineering Awards". designnews.com. UBM Americas. October 26, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  54. ↑ "Aviation Week Network's Laureate Awards Past Winners". laureates.aviationweek.com. Informa PLC. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  55. ↑ "Environmental Heroes". philatelia.net. Dmitry Karasyuk. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  56. ↑ "Hoyt Clark Hottel Award". ases.org. American Solar Energy Society. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  57. ↑ "Walker Prize". mos.org. Museum of Science, Boston. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  58. ↑ "The International von Karman Wings Award". galcit.caltech.edu. California Institute of Technology. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  59. ↑ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  60. ↑ "The Heinz Awards". heinzawards.net. The Heinz Awards. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  61. ↑ "The Franklin Institute Awards". fi.edu. The Franklin Institute. January 10, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  62. ↑ "The Pantheon of Skeptics". CSI. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Archived from the original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  63. ↑ "51 Heroes and Heroines of Aviation - FLYING Magazine". September 10, 2020.
  64. ↑ "National Inventors Hall of Fame". invent.org. National Inventors Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  65. ↑ Kurtz, Paul. "Is Secular Humanism a Religion?". theharbinger.org. The Harbinger. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  66. ↑ "Laureates of the International Academy of Humanism". secularhumanism.org. Council for Secular Humanism. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  67. ↑ "A Skeptical View : Doubting Academics Waging a Flamboyant Battle to Debunk Society's Fascination With Popular Theories". Los Angeles Times. April 21, 1985. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  68. 1 2 Shermer, Michael (September 5, 2007). "A Fond Farewell to Jerry Andrus & Paul MacCready". skeptic.com. The Skeptics Society. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  69. ↑ "Advisory Council". ncse.com. National Center for Science Education. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  70. ↑ "Skepticism Loses Two Stars". skeptic.com. The Skeptics Society. September 5, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  71. 1 2 "Nature vs. humans". www.ted.com. TED. October 22, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  72. ↑ "A Flight on Solar Wings". ted.com. TED Conferences, LLC. September 26, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  73. ↑ Hoffman, Carl (June 2003). "Aero Boy". Popular Science: 58.
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