violinist,” he said, “Il was worried about my hands. But my opponent in

violinist,” he said, “Il was worried about my hands. But my opponent in the semi-final match was an oboe player with a concert scheduled for the next day, and he asked me to take it easy on his mouth.” kok * In October 1957, Russia sent Sputnik into space. It was the first orbiting satellite, circling the earth in 96 minutes, and making 1,440 orbits in three months. This astounding technical feat was totally unanticipated by the United States and ignited the era of the space race. At the time, George was working as a civilian scientist for the Army Signal Corps in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in charge of the radio relay program. He had been recruited by their senior executive of Research & Development, an alumnus of the University of Michigan. A week after Sputnik, George sent a proposal to the Commanding General, urging a space communication program. The response: Do /t/ "So," George recalls, “I created the first Space Electronics organization in the country. It was very strange making presentations to generals and top government officials. At age twenty-nine, as head of the Astro- Electronics Division, | had the civilian rank equal to a colonel, but | looked like a young kid. It was embarrassing to take them to lunch and be carded by the waiter.” HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015428