John Howard

1921 - 2015

John Nelson Howard (1921–2015): The Architect of Applied Optics

John Nelson Howard was a pivotal figure in 20th-century physics, bridging the gap between rigorous atmospheric research and the professionalization of optical science. As a long-time Chief Scientist for the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL) and the founding editor of the journal Applied Optics, Howard’s influence extended from the stratosphere to the library shelves of every major research institution.

1. Biography: From Florida to the Frontiers of the Atmosphere

John Howard was born on February 27, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but his academic journey began in the South. He earned his B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Florida in 1943. Like many scientists of his generation, his early career was shaped by World War II; he served in the U.S. Navy as a radar officer, an experience that likely sparked his lifelong interest in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Following the war, Howard pursued graduate studies at Ohio State University, then a powerhouse for infrared spectroscopy. He earned his M.Sc. in 1949 and his Ph.D. in 1954 under the mentorship of Dudley Williams. His doctoral research focused on the absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases—a field that would soon become critical for both missile guidance systems and climate modeling.

In 1954, Howard joined the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL) at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. He rose through the ranks to become the Chief Scientist of the Geophysics Directorate, a position he held until his retirement in 1981. He remained active in the scientific community until his death on April 15, 2015, in Newton, Massachusetts.

2. Major Contributions: Mapping the Infrared Sky

Howard’s primary scientific contribution lay in atmospheric spectroscopy. During the 1950s, the military and the burgeoning field of meteorology needed to understand how infrared energy traveled through the Earth’s atmosphere.

The "Howard, Burch, and Williams" Studies: In a series of landmark experiments in the mid-1950s, Howard and his colleagues (Darrell Burch and Dudley Williams) meticulously measured the infrared absorption of water vapor and carbon dioxide. They created "synthetic atmospheres" in the lab to simulate various altitudes and pressures.
Predictive Modeling: Their data provided the empirical foundation for calculating atmospheric transmission. This was essential for the development of heat-seeking missiles, infrared surveillance, and eventually, the computational models used to understand the greenhouse effect.
Scientific Publishing: Howard’s greatest contribution to the infrastructure of science was the creation of the journal Applied Optics in 1962. Before this, optical research was often buried in general physics journals. Howard envisioned a publication that catered to the "practitioner"—engineers and scientists applying optical principles to real-world problems.

3. Notable Publications

Howard was a prolific writer, balanced between technical reports and historical essays.

"Infrared transmission of synthetic atmospheres" (1956): Published in the Journal of the Optical Society of America, this series of papers (Parts I–V) remains a classic in atmospheric physics.
"The Transmission of the Atmosphere in the Infrared" (1956): An AFCRL report that became a "bible" for aerospace engineers.
"The Rayleigh Notebooks": Howard spent decades researching John William Strutt (Lord Rayleigh). He published numerous papers detailing Rayleigh’s contributions to physics, effectively serving as the primary biographer of Rayleigh’s scientific process.
Editorials in Applied Optics: Over his 25-year tenure as editor (1962–1987), his "From the Editor" columns became famous for their wit, historical anecdotes, and insights into the sociology of science.

4. Awards & Recognition

While Howard did not seek the limelight of the Nobel circuit, he was deeply honored by his peers for his service to the scientific community:

Distinguished Service Award (1977): Awarded by the Optical Society of America (now Optica) for his role in establishing Applied Optics.
Fellow of the Optical Society: Recognized for his contributions to infrared spectroscopy.
Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS): Acknowledged for his work in geophysics and atmospheric research.
The OSA Honorary Membership: One of the highest honors bestowed by the society, recognizing his lifelong commitment to the field.

5. Impact & Legacy: The Bridge-Builder

John Howard’s legacy is twofold:

Climate Science Foundation: Though he worked for the Department of Defense, his precise measurements of how CO2 and water vapor trap heat provided early, essential data for the field of infrared radiative transfer, which is the physical basis for modern climate change science.
The Professionalization of Optics: By founding Applied Optics, Howard gave a home to the "useful" side of the field. Today, the journal remains one of the most cited and influential publications in the optical sciences, covering everything from fiber optics to medical imaging.

6. Collaborations & Partnerships

Howard was a "connector" who thrived in the collaborative environment of the Cold War research boom.

Dudley Williams & Darrell Burch: His Ohio State collaborators. Together, they formed the "triumvirate" of mid-century infrared absorption research.
The Optical Society (OSA): Howard was a fixture of the OSA for over 60 years. He worked closely with other giants of optics, such as Mary Warga and Patricia Wakeling, to modernize scientific communication.
The Rayleigh Family: Howard maintained a long-standing relationship with the descendants of Lord Rayleigh, gaining exclusive access to the family’s archives in Terling Place, England.

7. Lesser-Known Facts: The Scholar-Bibliophile

The Rayleigh Obsession: Howard was perhaps the world’s foremost collector of "Rayleighana." He spent his own money and time to track down Lord Rayleigh’s original laboratory notebooks and personal correspondence. He eventually donated this massive collection to the Air Force Research Laboratory and the American Institute of Physics.
A "Paper" Historian: Howard was a dedicated historian of science. He was particularly fascinated by the 19th-century "Greats"—Rayleigh, Tyndall, and Maxwell. He often argued that modern scientists could solve contemporary problems by reading the original, clear-headed papers of 19th-century physicists.
The "Founding Editor" Persona: When he started Applied Optics, he insisted it should not be "stuffy." He included photographs, historical snippets, and even poetry, believing that scientists were more productive when they were engaged by the human side of their discipline.