Tuxedo Park

Tuxedo Park
By Jennet Connant

I must give thanks to Jim Meloche who dropped a couple lines in an e-mail for my discovery of an American Hero. After reading the book, the first thing that comes to mind is to pay a tribute to Alfred Loomis, the prime mover in this book. This is a piece of history that is certainly not mainstream reading material…but should be. It is a story about an American hero who became a legend in the scientific community without holding the appropriate credentials. This book paints a picture of what it takes to succeed in terms of the “right stuff”. It is inspirational and in my mind a required reading assignment for those young folks looking for a reason to find the subject of science interesting. This story could be put forward in three study area’s to high school students: Science, History, and Social Studies. I would not be opposed to having a student reading this book three times.

Using a metaphor of scientific variety, of all the elements in chemistry the three elements not on the chart are theory, applied science, and applying money to science. You could call this the molecule of the scientific mind when combined with the entrepreneurial spirit. That is what this book is all about. Alfred Loomis described by the author as a very practical man who came into this world in a somewhat average middle class America of the early 1900’s. I must a admit a degree of suspect on author’s perspective (a Boston elite Blueblood), she must have never missed a meal. But be that as it may, that transitional time that marked American entrance onthe stage of world class leadership finds Alfred Loomis.

I am always marveled at this obscure time of evolution that in reality is a revolution in mans living condition. As Loomis and team discovers ultra sound, radar and numerous other scientific measuring instruments you have to imagine a mind that is curious as to how and why things work. Curiosity is made the conduit and found to be the window of a continuously new and redefined reality. Loomis’s curiosity, underscored by prudent tenacity produced scientific discovery by accident. For example when sending high frequency sound waves through water, why did the fish die? The curious answer leads to the discovery and the beginning development of today’s modern medicine of non-invasive examination and treatment of our bodies, let alone a mind meld of energy to provide tools to win a war with Germany.

In science Alfred Loomis brought his discipline in Law and Finance, to Science to create new ways to look at the existing natural world. New inventions, which were sponsored and or created by Loomis, forged new realities in terms of our improved living condition and the safety of our country. He fed the world of science with papers to leverage other scientific growth independent of his own laboratories. He respected the capital of scientific thought on a world level. This discipline coupled with Thomas Paine’s rule to challenge “traditional thought” was paralleled in his business as a capitalist helping him build a financial empire not just in America but worldwide. This same discipline enabled him to calculate his financial decisions on his own and saved him from the doom so many others experienced in 1929. And thus he was prepared in every way to be a contributing leader when our World needed one.

Alfred Loomis is truly a hero when hero is defined as one who selfishly pursues excellence in his passions. Loomis had a passion first for Law, second for Finance, and third his true passion of Science. He charted his own course. If you were to measure his generosity as an act of heroism, you may observe that he was very generous with his mass of self-earned wealth. There were those cynical masses of people that claimed he must have done something dishonest to become so wealthy as a reason to give back. While not so, Loomis ignored his critics and focused on his passion for science. Underneath every act of giving there was a bargain. That bargain always exacted some contribution to science in return. Whether that scientific contribution was a benefit to mankind was beyond his control as one human being. But as a hero of his own making by his own virtues, to follow your inner guidance, chart your own course, and carry your own load, Loomis set an example that seems to have been overlooked by the educators of our time. Perhaps modern history requires the mindset of Thomas Paine in the role of publicist to not necessarily glorify great people, but to use their stories to teach the elements of the fabric required to be a hero in America. And then again, as in Paine’s world perhaps it takes time for history to correct popular thought, as future events rationalize and crystallize what is not immediately apparent.

In Loomis’s world there existed a codependency of capitalism, science, and politics as his product is guided by entrepreneurial energy and propelled by the combination of them all to the aid of WWII technology. Loomis’ private role seems to be still a secret today in the average American’s mind. The book accentuates this point, as it describes the mad dash towards radar technology and nuclear physics that required a tremendous deal of money requiring two popular strategies. One: befriending and courting those organizations with money using such claims that the “science will cure cancer”. Or Two: winning illustrious prizes like Nobel where fame also draws research money. The third way was the Loomis way, which was to personally fund it. And that secret discloses how vital the American capitalist was and is still today to our safety, as well as comfort. Let us not become so comfortable that we forget the former. And please let our science teachers tell this story so to engrain this reality of cooperative necessity and driving individual thought into the minds of their students.

As Loomis becomes recognized in all aspects of our community he becomes an international prime mover in the organization and leadership of the scientists, industrialists, universities and government to develop the new tools to defend the worlds’ freedom in WWII and thus saving an untold amount of lives. I was moved by the allegiance Loomis had to his country where he a Republican and critic of Roosevelt policy organized a band of largely Republicans to come to Roosevelt’s aid in a cause where the country popular opinion was still opposed to war. The author writes
“ But as Van Bush later observed of the Tizard Mission where all the radar research was done: Much has been written about disagreements between allies during a great war. Little has been written about the deep friendships which appear between comrades in arms of different nations, even among comrades whose efforts, behind the lines, are devoted to placing advanced weapons in the hands of fighting men”. I was moved in reading the pages to wonder why on earth this story has not been not told but taught in our history classes.

Where Loomis becomes a “super hero” is when you read the following Loomis quote: “ I am thrilled by the United States’ ability to outdistance the Germans in wartime radar capability and it was convincing proof of the magical efficiency of American individualism and lasses-faire”. In post war euphoria when the science community was an icon in the government’s eye, Loomis stood by his words and closed up his government-backed lab and gave it back to private enterprise.