I arrived on the MIT campus in September 1952 from Lockwood High School in Warwick, RI, joined Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and embarked on my education in Electrical Engineering (Computer Science didn't exist then). My interest in EE started at age 10 when I built a crystal radio as a Bear Arrow Project in the Cub Scouts. This was followed by a series of vacuum tube radios, hi-fi amplifiers (no stereo then) and a ham radio license (W1BNJ).
I joined the VI-A co-op program and worked at the Bell Telephone Laboratories (now Bellcore )in Murray Hill, NJ. I had the opportunity to work on some of the early developments of the transistor which was invented at Bell Labs. After earning my SM in EE, I went on to earn my ScD in 1962 for research on the efficiency of photovoltaic energy converters.
My entire career has been at MIT save for a 1-1/2 year visit to the private sector. As an Assistant and Associate Profesesor in Electrical Engineering, I taught courses in the physical electronics of semiconductor devices and introductory laboratory measurements. The latter resulted in my first textbook, Electronic Components & Measurements (with Prof. James Roberge).
I spent a sabbatical at the Techincal University of Berlin in 1969 and lived adjacent to the border with East Germany (not the Wall). This produced an indelible impression of how life exists under a totalitarian government. It also provided an opportunity to travel extensively in Western Europe.
In 1971 I accepted a position at Block Engineering in Cambridge and developed several medical electronic devices for them, notably a spark-gap flame photometer for laboratory blood analysis. During this period I continued to teach introductory electronics as a Lecturer and, with Prof. Steve Senturia, wrote Electronic Circuits and Applications.
In 1972 I was offered the position of Director of the Lowell Institute School, MIT's evening program in technical education, which I accepted and have been operating ever since. This department is so named because it was founded by the Lowell Institute, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to providing "free public lectures for the citizens of Boston" and the founder of WGBH-TV, Boston's educational Channel 2. In addition I have maintained my relationship with EE&CS as a Lecturer, teaching 6.071 Introduction to Electronics.
I have been an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world's largest techincal professional society, serving as Chairman of the Boston Section, the Region 1 Director (1982-83) and a Director of ELECTRO, the Boston/New York electronics show (1982-88). In 1988 I was the Chairman of the ELECTRO Board of Directors.
In addition to my work at MIT, I serve as a consultant to a variety of engineering firms as an expert witness in legal proceedings. I am a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I have had a number of interests during my life, to each of which I have devoted a substantial effort before moving on to the next. I worked with the Minuteman Council of the Boy Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster and Commissioner, giving back some of the wonderful leadership training and practical experience I received through earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
I took a pistol marksmanship course from the MIT Pistol & Rifle Club, and embarked on an era of competitive pistol shooting, including several trips to the National Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio. I became president of the State Rifle & Pistol Association and have spent considerable effort to preserve the right to keep and bear arms. I ran the Junior Rifle Course at the Woburn Sportsmen's Association for several years, and took our smallbore rifle teams to the National Championsips. My daughter, Karen, became an outstanding smallbore rifle and crossbow competitor, twice participating as a junior in the World Crossbow Championships in Europe.
When Karen joined the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, I joined the Masonic fraternity so I could support her activity. I then became interested in this organization and in 1983 became Master of Richard C. Maclaurin Lodge, A.F. & A.M., MIT's Masonic Lodge. I am presently serving a second year as Master during our Lodge's 75th anniversary. Karen is active in the Order of Eastern Star and served as Grand Esther in the Grand Chapter of New Hampshire in 1994. She is employed as an environmental chemist at Metcalf & Eddy in Wakefield. My son, Walter, is a Senior DeMolay and was Master of Hiram Lodge, A.F. & A.M., in 1994. He is a lithographer and enthusiastic golfer.
AleidaI am an avid cruising sailor and am a Captain on the Aleida, MIT's 38 foot Hinckley sloop. I have sailed her to Maine several times with a student/staff crew, and am always looking for crew for day trips out of Marblehead. Interested? Then e-mail me your phone number. I've sailed the Virgin Islands three times and took a week-long celestial navigation course in March 1995 off the Florida coast sailing to the Dry Tortugas on the Ocean Star, an 85' traditionally rigged schooner.
Shaker TableI also am interested in fine woodworking and enjoy building Shaker-style furniture. I have a well-equipped woodshop in my home, and particularly enjoy using antique tools in lieu of modern power types. I enjoy gardening and photography as well, and have an unfulfilled interest in N-scale model trains. Another unfulfilled interest is the construction of model stationary steam engines.
I believe in respect and courtesy between individuals, a characteristic that seems sadly lacking in today's social environment. Mutual support between individuals should supersede one's selfish, personal interests. Common sense and responsibility for one's actions are expected; excuses for inappropriate actions or inactions are not acceptable. When one accepts a responsibility, then one should fulfill it even if it means some other personal sacrifice. This extends to enrollment in a subject by which a student accepts the responsibility to complete all assignments in a timely fashion.
The best government is the least government. I believe that we have far too much government control over our lives and actions. But when essential rules of behavior and action are set, then they should be followed in the least detail. And when laws are broken, the punishment should be swift and sure, not weak or non-existent. I strongly support capital punishment.
Individuals who bring problems to me in advance will receive my utmost cooperation and assistance. Students who bring problems to me after the fact can expect little sympathy or relief.
Comments and questions concerning this page should be directed to Bruce D. Wedlock <wedlock@mit.edu>