Doc 0000163363

The image displays a stylized graphic representing a vault door, characteristic of a digital archive. Text overlays the graphic, stating that the document was obtained from "The Black Vault," an online database of declassified government documents. It further explains that this particular record is housed in the MKULTRA/Mind Control Collection and provides a URL for access. The visual elements are purely illustrative and do not contain any actual document content, photographs, stamps, or annotations. UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH IN MONITORING LIVING PLANTS •. ' \ APPROVED BY A YLAND 0 .• GEOR 1\NAGER, DIVISION STAFF .. n 1 9 7 2 Leadership 25 .~~ inScience ALBUQUERQUE DIVISION ' ...,- YEARS & Technology GOVERNMENT & COMMERCIAL SYSTEMS GROUP .. ~--~·· ' CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .~ CHAPTER 1 lliTRODUCTION • • • ••. 1-1 1.1 General Background • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 1-1 1.2 Summary of Proposed Areas of Investigation. 1-2 1. 2. 1 Crop Control System• ••••••••••• 1-2 1. 2. 2 Early Warning of Natural Disasters •• 1-2 1. 2. 3 Communication Sys.tem - Plant to Man. • ••.••.•.•.. • .•• • • • • • • • 1-3 1. 2. 4 Intruder Alarm System ••••••••• • 1-3 1. 2. 5 Psychology Tool and Mental Illness Monitor . • • . . . . . . • . . . . . .• 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . CHAPTER 2 TECHNICAL DISCUSSION . . . .. •••• 2-1 2. 1 Introduction • • • • • • ••• 2-1 .. 2. 2 Investigation Steps • ••• 2-1 • CHAPTER 3 SU:MMARY OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON PLANT ~~!CC:1rlt()~C:S • • . • • • • • . • . • • • • • • • • • • . • •• • 3-1 CHAPTER 4 TIME AND COST ESTIMATES FOR PLA . N . T . ELECTRO~CS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ....... 4-1 CHAPTER 5 EG&G AND ALBUQUERQUE DIVISION 131\C:lCCJ!i()~!) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••• ••• 5-1 5. 1 Corporate History • • • • • • • . • • • • • • ••. 5-1 5. 2 Albuquerque Division Organization ••••• ••• 5-2 5. 3 Albuquerque Division Directorates ••••• • • • 5-4 5. 3.1 Engineering Directorate •••••• • • • 5-4 5. 3. 2 Programs Directorate• ••••••• ••• 5-7 5. 3. 3 Administration and Finance . . Directorate • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5-7 . . . . . . . . . . This page is a title page or cover sheet for a document titled "FOR RESEARCH IN MONITORING LIVING PLANTS," marked as an "UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL." At the top left is an EG&G logo, and in the upper right corner, it is labeled "AL-P-72-73 JUNE 1972" with a handwritten number "165" circled. Below the title, there is a handwritten signature and typed text identifying "WAYLAND D. GEORGE, MANAGER, DIVISION STAFF" as the approver. A logo in the bottom left indicates "1972 Leadership in Science & Technology 25 YEARS." The bottom right states "ALBUQUERQUE DIVISION GOVERNMENT & COMMERCIAL SYSTEMS GROUP" with a street address and another handwritten circled number "165." Engineering Directorate •••••• • • • 5-4 5. 3. 2 Programs Directorate• ••••••• ••• 5-7 5. 3. 3 Administration and Finance . . Directorate • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . APPENDIX A RESUMES ••. • • • A-1 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 EG &G Corporate Organization ••• • 5-3 . . .. . . . •• . . . • • 5-2 Albuquerque Division Organization • • 5-5 .. ii ·CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND In 1966, a polygraph expert, Mr. Cleve Backster, tested a plant with a polygraph to see if he could get an indication ·of water rate absorption by the plant. Instead, he got a reaction on the strip chart record similar to the readout obtained from a human under stress. Highly intrigued, Mr. Backster soon discovered that the plant responded to his thoughts. The thought of harming the plant was sufficient to trigger a violent reaction that was clearly registered by the polygraph. Mr. Backster's continuing studies have indicated that further research in this area may open up some interesting and beneficial applications. Much of this early research has been directed toward finding out more about the nature of the communication response from plants. Mr. Frank Wilcoxson of EG&G has performed initial research in this area to the extent that he and EG&G researchers believe that some very beneficial practical applications of the principles already discovered are possible even before tp.e nature of the communication phenomena are fully defined. Therefore, based on their initial research, EG&G is sub mitting this proposal to explore some of the more practical appli pro~ising cations. The areas proposed for research are listed here for summary purposes and discussed in more detail later. (1) Crop control system (2) Natural disaster early warning system (3) Communication system - plant to man (4) ·· Intruder alarm system (5) Psychology tool and mental illness indicator. Investigation of these areas appears feasible at this time based on research performed by Mr. Frank Wilcoxson of EG&G and as z.:eported in the literature. A bibliography of this literature is provided at the end of this chapter. A brief discussion of prior The provided image is a table of contents and an index of illustrations from a document. It features a clear, structured layout with headings, subheadings, and page numbers, indicating a formal report. There are no photographs, handwritten notes, stamps, forms, diagrams, or evidence of experimental procedures visible on this page. The content is entirely text-based and organized into chapters and figures, with associated page references. (5) Psychology tool and mental illness indicator. Investigation of these areas appears feasible at this time based on research performed by Mr. Frank Wilcoxson of EG&G and as z.:eported in the literature. A bibliography of this literature is provided at the end of this chapter. A brief discussion of prior research is included here as it pertains to each proposed area of investigation. 1-1 1. 2 SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AREAS OF INVESTIGATION 1.2.1 Crop Control System An article in the Soviet Newspaper Pravda dated 12 October 1966 describes the basic elements of a "crop control" system. The crop control investigation proposed here is similar to the one described and referred to as "things to come" in the article. The technique involved is to select various crop plants such as corn, tomatoes, wheat, etc., and remove a number of the plants to a con trolled environment. The plants will be grown under nearly identical condi tions until they reach a monitorable size. The plants in the controlled environment can then be electronically monitored under varied conditions of nutrients, environment, etc. , to determine the ideal conditions based on plant response •. The data derived can then be used to improve soil or other conditions for the entire crop. Similar setups could be arranged for insect and disease treatment and control. The data derived could be fed into a computer memory bank - enabling the computer to derive the value of various nutrients and conditions. Since plants have been shown to be responsive to \ human presence, the data would have to be taken by remote monitoring and simple automatic triggering systems. There is also the prospect that enough data on crop control could be accumulated during the first six months of a study to verify a crop control hypothesis, and the remaining six months of a one-year study could be devoted to a natural disaster warning concept research. This concept will be dis cussed next. 1. 2. 2 Early Warning of Natural Disasters (Earthquakes, Avalanches, etc) The objective here is to find plants most receptive to that natural warning system that directs birds and animals to leave areas that will be affected by such disasters long before the e·vent actually occurs. As indicated in the bibliography, this exodus from such areas has been observed many times. Once the plants that are most receptive to this warning system are found, the development The document is a typed page with a chapter title and section heading. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, forms, diagrams, or tables. There are no visible redactions or obscured content. The page appears to be a standard text document, likely from a report or proposal, detailing research areas. directs birds and animals to leave areas that will be affected by such disasters long before the e·vent actually occurs. As indicated in the bibliography, this exodus from such areas has been observed many times. Once the plants that are most receptive to this warning system are found, the development of long-life monitoring equipment can be accomplished, as well as the design of systems used to tie the plant response data into a regional or national alert system. 1-2 _·. l~~lli~~~· ~'c :•<• c,·;,£cb·.•i,•·di:~•SS0!Jl:ilS1~li.c'.;;c;,;;;S.i';i;.~c.~=~·'""""··'·~·:. :.. ::;l~~~ , Z · \ ~:'x; • 1. 2. 3 Communication System - Plant to Man ~.: {"/}:~ Initial testing of the crop control system and natural disaster .~}::~~,.~~ lX,~ •;a warning system requires the elimination of close proximity contact between ~ ~ syste~ man and. pl":"t. The investigationof this communication will require -:.;:::.!- ·lt the momtormg of plant and man simultaneously and the exclusion (as far as is possible) of all disturbances. This concept of a man-to-plant tie of some sort must be investigated thoroughly, and the investigator will be challenged to find answers as to how to conduct this investigation in the best way. 1. 2. 4 Intruder Alarm System Mr. Wilcoxson of EG&G has found that some plants will respond to the presence of strangers or intruders at distances up to 30 feet. This application seems highly feasible at this time. Here again, however, the optimum plant for the system must be found and checked for longevity of response life, etc. This plant must then be tied to a long-life electronic system capable of triggering an alarm of some type. 1. 2. 5 Psychology Tool and Mental Illness Monitor As reported in the literature by Mr. Backster and verified by Mr. Wilcoxson of EG&G, plant response to human emotions is fairly well established. This principle could possibly be tied to the field of psychology and may be helpful in work related to the mentally ill and possibly with mentally disturbed children. This particular area would require a great deal of research with both plants and patients and, at this time, would appear to be an area to be investigated slowly and thoroughly. If the plant served no other purpose other than to identify a person who is mentally ill, at a very early stage in that illness, then the research effort would be well spent. i ~,,,., ~~~~~~f~f1'ifRii;r:"i<tA'0'i?;':iG:tf;?iZZif1;0~%i::0J,;~~?0$0'~ZS'Ifu~~;:·;F?;w;sk'JZ1il . BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Bacon, This page is primarily text-based, with no photographs, diagrams, or organizational charts. There are no handwritten annotations or signatures visible. However, there are official stamps present: a "CLASSIFIED" stamp is visible at the top left corner, partially obscured. The page also contains a page number "1-2" at the bottom right, indicating it is part of a larger document. The text itself describes proposed areas of investigation, specifically relating to crop control and early warning systems for natural disasters, suggesting a scientific or research context. to be an area to be investigated slowly and thoroughly. If the plant served no other purpose other than to identify a person who is mentally ill, at a very early stage in that illness, then the research effort would be well spent. i ~,,,., ~~~~~~f~f1'ifRii;r:"i<tA'0'i?;':iG:tf;?iZZif1;0~%i::0J,;~~?0$0'~ZS'Ifu~~;:·;F?;w;sk'JZ1il . BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Bacon, Thorn; "The Man Who Reads Nature's Secret Signals," National Wildlife, February/ March 1969; 4-8. 2. Backster, Cleve; International Journal of Parapsychology, Winter 1968; 329-348. 3. Robbin, Janice and Charles; "Startling New Research from the Man Who Talks to Plants," National Wildlife, October/ November 1971; 21-24. 4. Lawrence, L. G. ; "Electronics and the Living Plant, " Electronics World, October 1969. 5. Shuvaton, L. , trans. ; "The Powerful Lilliputian, " Pravda, No. 285, 12 October 1966; pg. 3; Foreign Technology Division USAF AD678622 FTD-HT-23-1161-67. 6. Wilcoxson, F. W.; Plant Response Data Old and New, EG&G Report No. 1; 1 April 19 72. '· 1-4 CHAPTER 2 TECHNICAL DISCUSSION 2.1 INTRODUCTION One must keep in mind that the field of investigation addressed in this proposal is, in essence, a new scientific area that will initially require establishment of a basic standard measurement or data gathering system. This will include the development of measuring techniques dependent on the specific area of investigation. Investigation may reveal that electrode to electrode measurements will perform well in the exploration of the communication field described. A method of recording changes in the light passing characteristics of leaves may be more useful in the crop control system, etc. Assuming that mag netic charges occur in plants, measurement of this parameter may prove to be of great value. Eefore any one can be fully explored, researchers must con: ... · ar~a firm that data is repeatable, that available instrumentation is adequate, and that measurements are. n ot being influenced by external electrical noise • ·The most active or receptive plants must be found and their useful time limits established. Some plants show a tendency to stop responding to cer ~~.~:~·.:J~ :,·:.: tain stimulation after repeated exposure to the same- stimulant day after day • . . ....~ ·..··_ -_:··:1.-·.·.·.· Standards must be derived that can be used for direct comparison with plant data obtained in the lab. The basics for this new area must be established. Once this has been accomplished, specific areas of practical value can be investigated. 2. 2 INVESTIGATION STEPS The steps for establishing the -_:··:1.-·.·.·.· Standards must be derived that can be used for direct comparison with plant data obtained in the lab. The basics for this new area must be established. Once this has been accomplished, specific areas of practical value can be investigated. 2. 2 INVESTIGATION STEPS The steps for establishing the basic investigation procedures and standards are outlined below: (1) Various electronic probe systems will be tested in order to verify their value in the response studies and determine their.. shortcomings. This will include electrodes, light sensors, magnetic sensors, etc. il{~~l!!'i~JB~o c;,~·- --- --- ,_ '"-"~----~-:: .. ~-- c;,~;;;;;J;~&lj;;, "~~-::0' ;, •••; ,;·~.;;.:...-...~., .. ~, -~ ----- --- 'Ji-~ii (2) Electronic components will be tested for drift and suscep tibility to noise. These components must be capable of operation over long time spans. · (3) Probes· and electronic components will be assembled as a unit and re-tested for drift, noise, etc. ( 4) Plants will be selected and tested !or response to stimulation of various kinds. (5) Preliminary tests will be run to determine repeatability of response to various stimulation. (6) The best combination of plant, probe, and electronic com ponents can then be used to start the data gathering proce dures. ( 7) In addition to plant output data, environmental conditions will be recorded. This data will include temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, plant diets, soil conditions (acid, neutral, or alkaline), etc. (8) To ensure maximum protection from outside electrical inter ference;, all testing should be conducted in a screen room located within the hothouse. Assurance of data validity: (a) All test equipment will be subjected to calibration runs immediately prior to and after all test runs. (b) All test equipment will be checked for noise pickup at least every two weeks. (c) All test equipment will be calibrated every 30 days to ensure that no erroneous readings are introduced into the data due to incorrect equipment handling and/o r adjustments. All critical data gathering equip ment adjustment points will be sealed after calibration. 2-2 CHAPTER 3 SUMMARY OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON PLANT ELECTRONICS Mr. Cleve Backster first became aware of the plant electronics phenomena on February 2, 1966. He was testing a plant with a polygraph machine to see if he. could get an indication of rate of water absorption by the plant and got a reaction (on the strip chart record) similar to the graphical readout obtained for a The document is a typed report, numbered "1-3" at the bottom. The content describes different communication systems and potential applications involving plants and humans. There are no images, stamps, or handwritten annotations visible on this page. The text is organized into numbered sections (1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5) with bolded titles. No experimental procedures or facilities are depicted visually. the plant electronics phenomena on February 2, 1966. He was testing a plant with a polygraph machine to see if he. could get an indication of rate of water absorption by the plant and got a reaction (on the strip chart record) similar to the graphical readout obtained for a human when under stress. Mr. Backster was first to note plant reaction to human thought and emotion, first to tie plant response to the death of brine shrimp, etc., and is presently, as far as can be ascertained, investigating the possibility of a cell-to-cell communication system and the possibility that memory, etc. , may exist at the cell level. He has made many plant experiments, including using a plant to point out a student who destroyed another· plant in the same room; the student was selected by the plant from five possible choices.. Mr. Backster . is also attempting to teach plants to recognize objects, and he has recorded the response of one egg when another was broken~ • • • 4 An article by Mr. L. G. Lawrence listed in the bibliography in Chapter 1 describes various systems for monitoring plant reactions via electronic and other means and describes some of the work done by Mr. Backster. He also verifies the plant memory theory and points out another way of training plants by the use of electric shock. An article appeared in the Soviet newspaper, Pravda, that describes the basic ingredients for a crop control system similar to that described in this proposal. The author of that article would have one believe that the article was a prediction of things to come. However, it is highly possible that the article describes an existing test facility. Other sources of data are available, but extremely hard to get since investigators are reluctant to disclose data that is not yet complete. . ' Mr. Wilcoxson of EG&G has verified some of Mr. Backster's data and also looked,at areas not covered in the known published data as follows: 3-1 .. ~,~---- Ftlri!£?4fu.\LL. • . - '"•:.:: -;.;-:·. ~:._.;;;;;,",;.:;..:._,,,:.,;';.l'[:~.it:• • ::-,~~~~"'""<. ' . " 1 . 2;_:->~>..:c:.-~;; -~·~:.·::;.~ - : ·. ;- ' ~ -· ~ ~ - ~, . . ,,;;~~-->·:"~'~·'-···- . -:::E;~ ( 1) Questions have been presented to plants by simply thinking < •• ;. ·~",J of these questions and recording the plant's reaction on a strip chart recorder. The object This page contains a list of bibliographic entries, presented as a typed document with standard formatting. There are no photographs, stamps, handwritten annotations, or visual evidence of experimental procedures. The only visual elements beyond the text are a few black dots that appear to be printing imperfections and a page number "1-4" at the bottom right corner. The document's content is entirely textual, listing references to various publications related to "nature's secret signals," parapsychology, and plants. 1 . 2;_:->~>..:c:.-~;; -~·~:.·::;.~ - : ·. ;- ' ~ -· ~ ~ - ~, . . ,,;;~~-->·:"~'~·'-···- . -:::E;~ ( 1) Questions have been presented to plants by simply thinking < •• ;. ·~",J of these questions and recording the plant's reaction on a strip chart recorder. The object here was to try to establish a "yes" or "no" and/o r "0 to 1" state by human mental stimu lation of the test plant. No "yes" or "no" response could be established as the plant's reaction ·to this human mental stimulation resulted in a complex waveform. A different waveform was recorded for each different question presented to the plant. The test plants responded to 56 percent of the questions presented. (2) While running a test on a cactus plant, an erratic full swing to the left was noted and subsequent investigation of the immediate test area revealed that a stranger had approached the test area and departed without letting his presence be known to the test area occupants. This test was repeated of a week later and four such close passages strangers to the test area were recorded. Two of the four indicated tres- passes w~re verified and two could not be verified. (3) An attempt to run tests on several previously responsive plants failed when testing was conducted during a severe wind storm. The test plants would not settle down to· what had been previously observed to be a normal state on the records. After the storm, normal response was resumed. (4 ) An eyewitness has been found that has described a test run on a tree in the vicinity of a snow slide in Colorado two or three years ago. The witness indicated that analysis of the· data obtained showed a definite disturbance in the tree's response curve that started two hours before the snow slide occurred and returned to normal after the slide was over. The test tree was about 600 yards from the slide area. 3-2 - i .. . · · e-- . ............ ·. :; .. - ;:;·,_·: ... ---.. ;;,.,,~:;{.~--·t''~ii'j.;,_:,,_.:<-- --· ·- -~ :.~:~--;,_~-~-~-'-·~.£; L.-~~':.:.,_~-: "'::~ -:-~.,:.-.-~:~- •-~-_}::;~--·----'-~-- ~---·" ~---·--- i:Sl'·:~'"'""'~"'~-~~ {;{; :/~ _: ~;:·~~ .7.; •• (6) Tests run on wild bird eggs indicated a response to thoughts of breaking the egg. This curve_ was identical to that obtained on a plant under threat except that it was opposite in polarity. The page is a scanned document with a dotted border on the left and a textured border along the top and bottom. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, or redactions visible on this page. The content consists solely of black text on a white background, organized into sections and paragraphs with headings and subheadings. The visual presentation is that of a standard typed document. -~ :.~:~--;,_~-~-~-'-·~.£; L.-~~':.:.,_~-: "'::~ -:-~.,:.-.-~:~- •-~-_}::;~--·----'-~-- ~---·" ~---·--- i:Sl'·:~'"'""'~"'~-~~ {;{; :/~ _: ~;:·~~ .7.; •• (6) Tests run on wild bird eggs indicated a response to thoughts of breaking the egg. This curve_ was identical to that obtained on a plant under threat except that it was opposite in polarity. (7) Mr. Wilcoxson has started testing tomato plants on a varied diet basis as described previously in this proposal. ,:,; -:"/ -~ I t=~i1 1ic'/~~ eye~~ -~i I :~; 'tJ;?' i~J s~" .J it<:j ;f ~i~~~- i.~ .-.. ~.1 f~--;i ~ti:.:~ -~ I·f·~ ..... - ;.,; ~i-1 .,, .._ l 3-3 lliti~it~~-·· CHAPTER 4 ~:;~~~·~: ~~i TIME AND COST ESTIMATES FOR PLANT ELECTRONICS ·~ . . :'~. l)'J The materials cost and labor figures shown below are based on a concentrated one-year research effort. Labor $51,293.00 Consultants $20,382.00 Botanist Psychologist Chemist Materials $19, 817.00 Hothouse and associated equipment Electronics equipment Plants, planting materials Misc. cables, connectors, etc. Total: $91, 49 2. 00 It should be noted that the material cost would apply to the entire program as an initial expense. The labor figures could encompass a two-year, one-half time effort, etc. Some data related to the natural disaster early warning system would probably be forthcoming during this initial effort due to the fact that the Albuquerque area, where testing would be conducted, is subject to earth tremors, severe electrical storms, and occasional severe wind storms. There is also the prospect that enough data on crop control could be accumulated during the first six test months to verify the crop control system hypothesis, and that the remaining six months could be devoted to the disaster warning concept research. Extensive testing of the disaster warning system would require field testing, more elaborate electronics equipment, and e.:ll."tensive travel time. Investigators would also expect to derive some data related to the man-to-plant communication theories stated. This would be a natural side product of the test re~ords. Complete investigation of this communication aspect would require a separate program utilizing much more refined elec- tronics test equipment and more elaborate facilities. . 4-1 ~~.;;:;g~c:;g_~:.:.~--·. . ···•· ,· .. :Cc·:":;;o"'-.)~£~~::c:::i:::L{±~;,,;;.R:;f.:_~~~;,"-' L.··· ... ~:/~~ <~ EG&G AND ALBUQUERQUE DIVlSION BACKGROUND 5.1 CORPORATE HISTORY In 1947, the MIT-based partnership of Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier (EG &G) formed a company to continue classified research, develop ment, and instrumentation work previously periormed under their direction for the Manhattan Project. For the This page contains a numbered list detailing experimental procedures for electronic components and plants. There are no photographs, handwritten notes, stamps, forms, diagrams, tables, or redacted content visible. The document is organized as a bulleted list, with each point describing a step in a scientific or technical process. The content focuses on the testing methodology and calibration of equipment. This document is a typed page of text with a single black circular marking near the top center, possibly a page number or an annotation. There is no other visual content such as photographs, stamps, handwritten notes, or diagrams present on this page. The text itself describes research on "plant electronics" and mentions individuals and organizations involved in this work. The page is divided into two columns, with the primary text centered on the page. ,· .. :Cc·:":;;o"'-.)~£~~::c:::i:::L{±~;,,;;.R:;f.:_~~~;,"-' L.··· ... ~:/~~ <~ EG&G AND ALBUQUERQUE DIVlSION BACKGROUND 5.1 CORPORATE HISTORY In 1947, the MIT-based partnership of Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier (EG &G) formed a company to continue classified research, develop ment, and instrumentation work previously periormed under their direction for the Manhattan Project. For the first few years, the company was pri marily a contractor to government agencies, providing timing and firing control, diagnostic instrumentation systems, and field operational support. The company now is diversified into commercial electronics, oceanography, instrumentation operations, and other specialized technology, in many parts of the world. It specializes in the sophisticated instrumentation needed for today's technology, both in connection with other projects and separately. Environment monitoring systems have been set up with computer controlled ·~ functions and complete meteorological data gathering and processing systems have been fielded and are being operated by EG&G. Other weather modifica tion programs, including cloud seeding and fog dispersal, have been performed. Upon entering the commercial products market, EG&G first pro duced new versions of electronic flash tubes and flash equipments developed years earlier by the partnership. Next were standard ceramic-metal hydro- . . gen thyratrons and rectifiers, and special-purpose instruments for ultra- high-speed measurements. An airborne instrumentation system was produced for the Air Force and this was followed by a great number of special projects ranging from electromagnetic pulse simulation to laser scanning systems. Dr. Harold E.· Edgerton's personal interest in underwater photog raphy led to the development of cameras and light sources for ocean-bottom research and exploration. The long standing problem of positioning cameras and lights at a known distance above the bottom of the ocean was solved by developing a compact, accurate ~onar pinger system. This wa~ soon followed by the development of powerful acoustic transducers for ocean-bottom pro file survey work. , EG &G underwater equipment is extensively used in searches for sunken ships, submarines, etc. For eXa.mple, EG&G equipment 5-1 ... . ...c.·. , .. .: ; ltr~Jli:k"L-• 2L:C~t£;:;, ;.:.& ii;\:f:.\{j;J."·;..:y3·.,;,;;;;•,"'li;,i~.; --..... located the submarine Thresher, and recently was used to locate a sunken frei(Thter in the Gulf of Mexico. "' The company's growth was steady during the late 1950's and early 1960's. The small, commercial products and oceanographic business, plus a technological backlog built up over the years, provided a sound base for accelerated growth and increased diversification. Company resources were applied to the development of new pro ducts The page is a typed document, single-spaced, with the heading "3-2" at the bottom right. It contains four numbered paragraphs detailing various aspects of plant testing. There are no photographs, handwritten annotations, official stamps, diagrams, tables, or redactions visible on this page. The content solely consists of text describing experiments conducted on plants. "' The company's growth was steady during the late 1950's and early 1960's. The small, commercial products and oceanographic business, plus a technological backlog built up over the years, provided a sound base for accelerated growth and increased diversification. Company resources were applied to the development of new pro ducts and an advanced technological capability in the fields in which it had an established position: high-energy pulse discharge components and sys tems, ultra-fast measurements, electronic flash components and systems, nuclear instrumentation, and oceanography. Company-funded research and ; . development was a key element in the expansion (see Figure 5-1). Today, EG&G is a multi-element company with broad technical capabilities and business interests. Research and development, instrumen -~ tation system design, engineering service work and manufacturing encom pass