Interview with Thomas A. Tombrello - Caltech Oral Histories

Tombrello–vi
Session 4
68-72
Collegial environment of Kellogg Radiation Laboratory in the 1960s. C. Lauritsen’s history and
leadership of Kellogg; lab’s medical research experiments; Lauritsen’s participation in inner
circle running Caltech.
72-83
Kellogg scientists W. Fowler, C. Barnes, R. Kavanagh, W. Whaling. F. Hoyle. Experimental
work on tandem accelerator. Socializing and camaraderie among Kellogg personnel. C.
Lauritsen’s personality, research agenda, and postwar oversight of Kellogg. R. Christy’s work in
Kellogg. Tombrello’s research on scattering theory and use of early computers. Visitors to
Kellogg in 1960s; K. Thorne as undergraduate and young faculty member; M. Schmidt’s
discovery of redshift of quasars; vibrant intellectual activity throughout 1960s. Budgetary
considerations prompt Tombrello to identify new funding sources and redirect some lab research.
83-86
Fowler’s establishment of “remarkable culture” within Kellogg. Fowler as visionary; strengths
and drawbacks of his management style. PMA division as collection of “large fiefdoms;” power
centers within division; evolution of astrophysics program in fifties and sixties; collegial tensions
in Kellogg.
86-91
Impact of R. Bacher’s decision against big-accelerator physics at Caltech; M. Sands, R. Walker,
and A. Tollestrup in Kellogg; potential pitfalls of academic recruitment. M. Gell-Mann’s
objections to some Kellogg hires; role of physics staffing committee in easing tensions and
diversifying faculty recruitment. Recruitment for LIGO project. Comments on PMA division
chairs R. Bacher, C. Anderson, and R. Leighton. M. Schmidt as division chair during 1979 split
of Caltech and Carnegie Institution astronomy programs. R. Vogt’s tenure as PMA chair.
Provost B. Kamb successor to Vogt as provost.
91-93
Disagreements over funding and research priorities (1981-82) spark Tombrello’s resignation as
Kellogg PI. Difficulties with Kellogg grant; faculty resistance to budgetary retrenchment;
Tombrello’s management style; personnel changes in Kellogg; Tombrello succeeded by C.
Barnes and S. Koonin; Koonin assumes management of Kellogg and moves lab in new
directions. Kellogg research of R. McKeown and B. Filippone.
Session 5
94-97
Tombrello takes two-year leave (1987-89) from Caltech to head Schlumberger-Doll Research
Center: Recruitment by company CEO E. Baird; Schlumberger’s flawed purchase of Fairchild
Semiconductor; budget negotiations with Schlumberger. Restructures lab operations and
initiates new projects, including first explorations of shale oil rock in the Middle East and
improved seismic profiling in North Sea. Work with assistant B. R. Perlman and CFO E. Burns.
http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Tombrello_T