During the 1920s and '30s, Major General George Owen Squier was one of the most famous men in America and abroad, as a scientist, soldier, military strategist, electrical communications expert and inventor, aeronautical pioneer, diplomat, and philanthropist. He rose from humble beginnings in Michigan to the position of Chief Signal Officer of the United States Army. He led the effort in World War I to equip the United States and its allies with American-made airplanes and engines, an effort which started slowly but at the time of the Armistice was rapidly coming to fruition. He also equipped American forces with modern communications, the first belligerent in the war to do so.
As an inventor he is not well known today compared to his contemporaries Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright Brothers, who respected his intellect and originality. Yet his inventions in communications technology are fundamental to today's telephone system and were the technical basis for the company he founded, Muzak. Despite his many achievements no biography of George Squier has, before now, been published.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Preface
Introduction
1. Early Life and West Point
2. Soldier-Scientist
3. An Electrical Laboratory
4. Soldier-Entrepreneur
5. The Philippine Cables
6. Founding of the Signal School
7. Origins of Army Aviation
8. Radio Over Telephone Lines
9. Science and Syndicate
10. Secret Missions
11. The Biggest Thing of the War
12. New Weapons
13. Science Joins the Army
14. Voice-Commanded Squadrons
15. Retirement Years and Legacy
Appendix: Technical Information
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
