The Early Years

y the fall of 1952, all of the essential elements were in place at the Iowa Physics Department for a sustained program of upper atmospheric research. There was outstanding leadership, a capable staff, a cadre of eager students, appropriate tools and techniques, experience with field operations, and modest funding. Early scientific re­sults were appearing in print. James Van Allen and his new group were already solidly established in the national and international science arena as leading contributors to cosmic ray research.

Entering opportunity’s door

Purely by chance, I arrived on the scene at about that time. When my tour of active duty with the Air Force ended on 18 December 1952, I returned to my Iowa family home near the tiny town of Tiffin, located just eight miles west of Iowa City. My single-minded goal was to enter the University of Iowa to study physics. With no understanding of the significance of the situation that was developing at the time, a tremendous opportunity was opening.

For a number of years my father, George M. (GM) Ludwig, conducted a daily morning program over local radio station KXIC from his Ludwigheim farm home. He had interviewed Van Allen, Meredith, and Blodgett in October upon their return from the summer’s rockoon expedition. Van Allen and Meredith returned for a follow-up interview a few days after I arrived home. In the course of that morning’s discussions, Dad (acting as my self-appointed agent) turned to Van Allen and asked, “George is just back from the Air Force and is looking for a job. Might you have something for him?” Van Allen replied that he might and suggested that I come to his office the following Monday to pursue the question further. I did so, and he offered me part-time

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OPENING SPACE RESEARCH

work as a research aide in his Cosmic Ray Laboratory, at 75 cents per hour. I eagerly accepted his offer, began work immediately, and was well established there when the spring semester opened in February 1953.