October 30, 1918

Born in Salem, Massachusetts

1940

Received bachelor's degree from Harvard College

1941-1955

Held various teaching and research positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

1942

Received master's degree from MIT

June 13, 1942

Married Eugenia (Gene) Merrill

1951

Received doctor of science degree from MIT

1955

Started work at RCA as manager of its Airborne Systems Laboratory

1958

Chief engineer at RCA's Missile Electronics and Controls Division

1960

Named NASA associate administrator

1965

Named NASA deputy administrator

1968

Returned to MIT as professor in aeronautics and astronautics

1969

Appointed secretary of the Air Force

1973

Named president of the National Academy of Engineering

1974

Appointed first administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration

1977

Returned to MIT as Henry Luce professor of environment and public policy

1978

Became dean of MIT School of Engineering

1981

Resigned as dean to pursue private sector activities

1984

Retired as Henry Luce professor of environment and public policy at MIT

1984-1996

Senior lecturer in aeronautics and astronautics at MIT