COOLIDGE WILLIAM D.: (1873-1975) American physicist and engineer who made major contributions to X-ray machines and was also famous for the development of 'ductile tungsten', which is important for the incandescent light bulb. A good T.L.S., W. D. Coolidge, one page, 4to, Schenectady, New York, 13^th March 1946, to Henri Corliere, on the printed stationery of the General Electric Company. Coolidge informs his correspondent that his early scientific research work was done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and that the only difficulties in his work have been those imposed by nature, continuing 'Since 1905 I have been a member of the staff of the Research Laboratory of the General Electric Company where I have had essentially unlimited facilities for my work, and my reputation is based mainly upon my work here…..My most important contributions have been the development and applications of ductile tungsten and the development of the hot-cathode high-vacuum X-ray tube and accessories.' A letter of fine content. About EX

 

Coolidge became director of the General Electric Research Laboratory in 1932 and a vice-president of the company in 1940, until his retirement in 1944. He continued to work in a consultancy role for General Electric following his retirement.