When Vincent Schaefer (1906-1993) had to leave high school in 1922
at the age of 16 to help support his family, little did he know
that he was about to embark upon one of the most astounding careers
in the world of science. Beginning as an apprentice instrument
maker at the legendary General Electric Research Laboratory, Vince
was soon called upon by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Irving
Langmuir to be his laboratory assistant. Thus began a 20-year
collaboration that led to Vince earning eighteen patents, hundreds
of publications, and three honorary doctoral degrees. His
independent research, aided by the process of "serendipity," led to
his invention of cloud seeding, preservation of ice crystals,
advanced television tubes, and other instruments and techniques
that advanced several fields of scientific inquiry. When he left
the GE Labs in the 1950s, he became Director of Research for the
Munitalp Foundation, and later was a co-founder and Director of the
Atmospheric Sciences Research Center at the University at Albany
(New York). A naturalist and avid hiker since his youth, Vince was
instrumental in studying, conserving and establishing many of
upstate New York's natural preserves and trails, and was the
visionary who originally conceived of the Long Path, a hiking trail
running from New York City to his beloved Adirondack Mountains. He
was the founder of both the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club and the
Schenectady Wintersports Club, where he established the nation's
first Ski Patrol, and made Gore Mountain into a skiing destination.
His natural curiosity as a boy led him into archaeological and
historical field research later in life, where he focused on such
subjects as the old Erie Canal and the preservation of Dutch Barns
across the state. This autobiography, written in Vincent Schaefer's
easy-going, readable style, and filled with personal and historical
photos, is complemented by a chapter of stories and memories
composed by friends, family and former professional colleagues. His
important memoir begins with the words, "I have led an interesting
life " An interesting life indeed About the Editor: Don Rittner is
an American historian, archeologist, environmental activist,
educator, and author living in New York's Capital District. He has
published more than 30 books, more than a thousand articles,
publisher of three magazines and scientific journals, and a former
columnist for the Troy Record newspaper. He currently writes a
history blog for the Albany Times Union.
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