Robert Watson-Watt
(1892-1973)

Pioneer of radar

A descendant of James Watt, pioneer of the steam engine, Watson-Watt began his radar career in meteorology, detecting storms to warn the pilots of fragile First World War planes of their approach. He developed the already current notions of radar (radio detection and ranging), devising a system to operate simply and efficiently in wartime. A national network was in place by the time war broke out -essential to Britain’s gaining and maintaining mastery of the skies throughout the war, notably in the crucial 1940 Battle of Britain.