Roscoe R. Braham
American Meteorological Society Oral History Project
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Stephen Cole interviewed Dr. Roscoe R. Braham for the American Meteorological Society Oral History Project. Dr. Braham, a prominent meteorologist, discussed his experiences and contributions to weather modification, particularly during the mid-20th century. The interview took place in Washington, D.C., while Braham was attending a National Academy of Sciences Weather Modification Panel meeting. Dr. Braham begins by reflecting on the work of Irving Langmuir, a physicist who made significant contributions to weather modification, particularly cloud seeding. Braham explains that while Langmuir's contributions to meteorology were influential, particularly in the public sphere, he believes that Langmuir lacked a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric variability and the complexities of experimental repetition in meteorology. Despite Langmuir's success in popularizing cloud seeding, Braham notes that many meteorologists were skeptical of the long-term impacts Langmuir attributed to these early experiments. A key portion of the interview focuses on Braham’s involvement in Project Thunderstorm in 1947 and his interactions with Langmuir and Vince Schaefer during this time. Braham recounts how Langmuir attempted to recruit him and his colleague, Lou Battan, to join a weather modification project, but both declined, feeling committed to their ongoing research. The interview further delves into Braham's later work on cloud seeding in the Midwest, where he encountered mixed results, highlighting the challenges of applying theoretical knowledge to real-world weather phenomena. Throughout the interview, Braham reflects on the challenges of proving causality in weather modification and the importance of balancing scientific inquiry with statistical evidence. His discussions provide valuable insights into the history of cloud seeding, the evolution of meteorological science, and the role of key figures in shaping the field.
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