The Bennett Years: The Development of the Modern Naval Ordnance Laboratory
Abstract
This publication is a reprinted version of a historical series that originally appeared in "On the Surface," the official periodical of the Naval Surface Weapons Center, during the period 9 September 1983 through 29 June 1984. Together, these articles describe the phenomenal growth of the modern Naval Ordnance Laboratory (NOL) from a small shop in the Washington Navy Yard to one of the Navy's premier research and development organizations. The Naval Ordnance Laboratory was one of the two major laboratories (the other being the Naval Weapons Laboratory, Dahlgren, Virginia) that were merged in 1974 to create the Naval Surface Weapons Center. Dr. Ralph D. Bennett came to NOL in 1940 and quickly became, in succession, Head of Mine Development, Director of Technical Development, and Technical Director by 1945. He was made civilian Technical Director in 1947, retiring in 1954 to be succeeded by Dr. Gregory K. Hartmann. Dr. Bennett was a man uniquely placed to bring about significant changes in the way the Navy handled its research and development in those early years. Having both a Captain's rank and a respected technical background, he played a major role in the development of the Military-civilian partnership at NOL, and saw its use accepted universally in the rest of the Navy's R&D management. The Navy-wide system of Commander/Technical Director management owes its origins to Dr. Bennett. This publication is issued on the occasion of the Naval Surface Weapons Center's third Technology Symposium, during which the White Oak auditorium is dedicated in recognition of Dr. Bennett's accomplishments, both technical and managerial.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 19, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA477366
Entities
People
- Ralph D. Bennett
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division