Discusses his family background, and engineering education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Berkeley, 1928-1941. He also discusses his research, consulting with the military, and academic studies during World War II. Includes reminiscences of the College of Engineering, 1943-1958, the years he served as Dean. In addition, he speaks of his long relationship as consultant to General Electric, and offers observations on the relationship between university-industry research and development.