Alexanderson, Ernst F W

Alexanderson, Ernst F(rederik) W(erner)

(born Jan. 25, 1878, Uppsala, Swed.—died May 14, 1975, Schenectady, N.Y., U.S.) Swedish-born U.S. electrical engineer and television pioneer. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1901 and spent most of the next five decades at General Electric; from 1952 he worked for RCA. He developed a high-frequency alternator that was capable of producing continuous radio waves, revolutionizing radio communication. His completed alternator (1906) greatly improved transoceanic communication and firmly established the use of wireless devices in shipping and warfare. He also developed a sophisticated control system (1916) used to automate intricate manufacturing processes and operate antiaircraft guns. He was awarded his 321st patent in 1955 for the colour TV receiver he developed for RCA.