Dave Fultz

Location of Interview
Collection Name

American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

Description

The American Meteorological Society Oral History Project (AMSOHP) aims to capture the history of the atmospheric sciences as told by scientists, administrators, and others working in the field. The collection is especially rich in interviews that capture the memories of scientists who launched much of the innovative meteorological research in post-war America.

To browse this collection and others, please visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Archives: https://aspace.archives.ucar.edu/

Interviewer
Date of Interview
11-11-1992
11-13-1992
11-19-1992
11-27-1992
12-04-1992
12-14-1992
Audio
Transcript
Abstract

In this interview from November 1992 to January 1993, conducted by Paul Frenzen at the University of Chicago, Professor Dave Fultz recounts his life and career in meteorology and atmospheric science. Fultz discusses his early years, including time spent in Albania, where his father directed the Albanian Vocational School. He details the international and technical influences that shaped his education, noting his high school and undergraduate experiences in Chicago and his scholarship-supported studies at the University of Chicago.

Fultz elaborates on his involvement with the U.S. Weather Bureau during World War II and his role in developing the Institute of Meteorology at the University of Chicago. He describes working with prominent meteorologists, including Rossby and Wexler, and the challenges of early forecasting efforts. His narrative emphasizes key projects, such as the development of rotating tank experiments and the discovery of atmospheric flow patterns, which were instrumental in advancing meteorological research.

Fultz's insights into the evolution of experimental meteorology and fluid dynamics, particularly in creating models of atmospheric phenomena, highlight his significant contributions to the field. His accounts provide a window into the scientific environment of the mid-20th century and the collaborative efforts that drove innovation in meteorological science.


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