Albert A. Michelson:

REMEMBERED

"It is the pitting of one's brains against bits of iron, metals and crystals and making them do what you want them to do. When you are successful that is all the reward you want." -- Albert A. Michelson, The New York Times, January 18, 1929

Although truly a "Renaissance Man," Michelson has typically been remembered for his breakthroughs and refinements in the field of science. Since his death in 1931, numerous organizations and institutions have paid tribute to Michelson’s varied and abundant scientific accomplishments. In May 1948, the Michelson Laboratory at the Naval Ordnance Test Station in China Lake, California was dedicated. Interest in the materials exhibited at this dedication eventually led to the Michelson Museum, a collection and exhibition of Michelson memorabilia at this same location. In addition, the Navy honored Michelson with the USNS Michelson in 1957, and on May 10, 1969 the U.S. Naval Academy dedicated the academic building Michelson Hall. Michelson was again remembered on October 21, 1973 by the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, then a part of New York University (and now a part of Bronx Community College, within the City University of New York), with the unveiling a of bronze bust and tablet.

Since that time, numerous awards, lectures, and honors have been created in Albert A. Michelson’s name. Some of the current awards and lectures named for Michelson include the following: the Bomem-Michelson Award and Lecture annually presented by the Coblentz Society; the Michelson-Morley Award and Lecture, along with the Michelson Lecture Series, and the Michelson Postdoctoral Prize Lectureship, all of which are given annually by Case Western Reserve University; the A.A. Michelson Award presented every year by the Computer Measurement Group; the Albert A. Michelson Award given by the Navy League of the United States; and the Michelson Memorial Lecture Series presented annually by the Division of Mathematics and Science at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Bust of Albert A. Michelson, Hall of Fame for Great Americans, New York University, n.d. [637K]

Michelson Hall , U.S. Naval Academy, n.d. [639K]