Background
Atkinson, Ralph Waldo was born on June 16, 1887 in Smithland, Iowa, United States. Son of Walter Edward and Dessa Flora (Waterman) Atkinson.
Atkinson, Ralph Waldo was born on June 16, 1887 in Smithland, Iowa, United States. Son of Walter Edward and Dessa Flora (Waterman) Atkinson.
Graduated from the high school, Carroll, Iowa, 1901. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineer, Iowa State College, 1906, Electrical Engineer, 1911.
Assistant to chief engineer, Standard Underground Cable Company (a division of General Cable Company), 1908-1923, chief electrical engineer, 1923-1929. Director high voltage research General Cable Corporation since 1929, chief research engineer, 1944-1952, director research, 1952-1954, consulting engineer, since 1954. Guest professor electrical engineering Bihar Institute Technology, India, 1956-1960.
Director Westfield Young Men's Christian Association, First Methodist Church of Westfield.
Fellow American Institute of Elctrical Engineering (member board examiners), American Association for the Advancement of Science. Member Institute Metals (England), American Standards Association (chairman technical, commission on standards and definitions, committee C8 on wires and cables). Mason.; Clubs: Engineers (New York City).
Married Elsie Lee Mercer, June 1, 1916. Children: Alice Lee (Mistress Norman Morash), George Mercer.