by Joseph K.
As chief of manufacturing research, I was
instrumental in initiating the advanced manufacturing technology operation at
Martin Marietta. I retired in 1977 after 20 years. Today, all major
corporations follow Martin Marietta’s model by creating their own advanced
manufacturing technology groups.
During my employment, Martin Marietta held
seven Honors Night celebrations. I was honored three of the seven times—in June
1963, in June 1964 and in June 1967. I was recognized for my publications and
patents. One of my inventions (3,726,007 April 10, 1973)—surface mount
technology—was used in the 1972 Moon landing and is still used in modern
computers, cell phones and electronic games. I also received the Best Paper of the Year Award from the
NEP/CON Society and the Best Paper of the
Year Award from the Surface Mount Society, a distinction awarded twice in
consecutive years.At Martin Marietta, I worked with Dr. Wernher von Braun on the Pershing missile. I was responsible for resolving issues with the reliability of its electrical inter-connections, ultimately creating a glass-filament wound motor case and more reliable soldering processes. For the latter, I was awarded the United States National Reliable Award in January 1964, in Washington, D.C., at the Ninth National Symposium on Reliability and Quality Control. I also co-authored an article with Dr. von Braun during the 1962 Missile-Rocket Convention, at the Henry Hudson Hotel in New York City, concerning the main issues with the Pershing missile—its propulsion and the reliability of its electrical connections.
