Lester Machta
American Meteorological Society Oral History Project
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On October 31, 1993, Julius London interviewed Lester Machta for the American Meteorological Society’s Tape Recorded Interview Project. Machta discusses his career in meteorology, beginning with his academic training and involvement in meteorological forecasting during World War II. He describes his collaborations with prominent figures such as Harry Wexler and Carl-Gustaf Rossby, as well as his work at Chanute Field and the evolution of meteorological education and practice in the military context.
Machta provides insight into his tenure at the Weather Bureau, later the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) and NOAA, detailing his contributions to atomic energy-related meteorological studies, including the transport of radioactive debris and the implications for atmospheric science. He highlights his involvement in tracing radionuclide fallout from nuclear tests, pioneering the use of tracers in air pollution studies, and advancing global circulation modeling. The interview emphasizes the intersection of meteorology and national security, as well as the lasting impacts of these studies on atmospheric research.
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