Henry I. Smith

Henry I. Smith begins the interview with a description of his childhood in New Jersey, his early aptitude in science, and his decision to pursue the sciences. After obtaining an undergraduate degree at Holy Cross College, Smith enrolled in Boston College Graduate School to pursue his interest in physics. Upon receiving his master's degree, Smith took a research position at the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory (AFCRL) in order to fulfill his ROTC requirement. At AFCRL he worked with top scientists and proved himself an able researcher. Smith returned to Boston College following his stint at the Air Force to pursue his Ph.D. His research in x-ray diffraction formed the basis for his pioneering work on x-ray lithography later in his career. While working at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Smith realized the importance of fabrication technology and submitted a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation for building a national research and fabrication center. Despite his unsuccessful proposal, Smith established a Submicron Structures Laboratory with MIT funding. Migrating to MIT's campus, Smith investigated a variety of lithography methods such as x-ray, conformable photomask, interferiometric immersion-projection, and zone plate array lithography. He concludes the interview by offering some insights on the semiconductor industry, and how to best develop a research culture that stimulates innovation.

United States Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory

1960 - 1963 First Lieutenant

Boston College

1966 - 1968 Assistant Professor of Physics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1968 - 1977 Staff Member, Lincoln Laboratory

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1977 - 1980 Group Leader, Lincoln Laboratory

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1977 - 1980 Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1977 Director, Nanostructures Laboratory

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1980 Professor of Electrical Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1990 - 2005 Keithley Professor of Electrical Engineering

Cyrus Mody

Cyrus Mody is an assistant professor of history at Rice University. Prior to that position he was the manager of the Nanotechnology and Innovation Studies programs in the Center for Contemporary History and Policy at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and materials engineering from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in science and technology studies from Cornell. He was the 2004–2005 Gordon Cain Fellow at CHF before becoming a program manager. Mody has published widely on the history and sociology of materials science, instrumentation, and nanotechnology.