Ed Martell was a distinguished nuclear scientist with a focus on atmospheric chemistry, radioactive material, and nuclear science in general. His academic journey began at West Point, where he graduated in the class of 1942. Following his graduation, Martell served as an officer in the Corps of Engineers for eight years, participating in combat in the Pacific during the Second World War. After the war, Martell had the opportunity to further his studies at the University of Chicago as a lieutenant colonel. It was here that he earned his Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry in 1950. Martell's post-graduate career began with a four-year stint at the Department of Defense, where he worked on the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. This role involved testing and determining the radiation and fallout effects of nuclear explosions, including three series of tests in Nevada and one Castle hydrogen bomb test series in the Pacific. Martell's expertise in the effects of nuclear explosions made him one of the few highly qualified individuals in this field. However, the Army did not have a career program to utilize a Ph.D. scientist, leading Martell to resign and pursue full-time scientific work.

Interview Scope and Content Note
This interview with Ed Martell, conducted by Tony Delany and Nancy Gauss on June 7, 1988, primarily focuses on the history of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The interview begins with a discussion of Martell's professional background, including his education at West Point, his service in the Corps of Engineers during the Second World War, and his advanced studies at the University of Chicago. The conversation then shifts to Martell's work at the Department of Defense, where he was involved in testing and determining the effects of nuclear explosions. Martell discusses his interactions with the scientific community and the military during this time. The interview also delves into the reorganization of NCAR, with Martell providing insights into the departure of several scientists and the shifting focus of the organization. Martell also discusses his own change in research direction during this period. The interview provides a valuable perspective on the evolution of NCAR and the challenges faced by scientists in the field of nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry.

Copyright Information: Copyright University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.