Squier, George Owen, 1865-1934

Major general in the U.S. Army, physicist, and inventor.

George Owen Squier (b. March 21, 1865, Dryden, Mich.-d. March 24, 1934), Major General in the U.S. Army, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1887 and was a signal officer with the volunteers before joining the signal corps U.S.A. in 1899. He was commander of the U.S. Cable-ship Burnside from 1900 to 1902, during the laying of the Philippine cable-telegraph system. He later served as U.S. military attaché in London, as chief signal officer U.S.A., and was in charge of the Army Air Service during World War I.

Not only a soldier but also a scientist, inventor and engineer, George Squier was an instrumental figure in major changes in the United States military. While at the United States Artillery School he invented the Synchrograph, which uses telegraphy to study the flight of projectiles. Then as a member of the Signal Corps, he was tireless in his efforts to improve the Army's wireless telegraphy and telephony and applied for numerous patents during his lifetime. In 1905 he established the Army Signal School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and later the Radio Research Laboratory at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. His interest in aviation led to his writing specifications for the first military aircraft, flying with Orville Wright and, finally, the development of the Aviation Research Laboratory at Langley Field, Virginia. In addition to his many stateside assignments, Squier also served in the Philippines, where he was in charge of laying the Trans-Pacific communication cable, and in London, England, where he served as Military Attaché. Brigadier General Squier retired from the military in 1924 but continued work in engineering communication and created one more contribution to society, piped-in music, which Squire named "Muzak."

Graduated from West Point in 1887 as 2nd Lieutenant in artillery. Transferred to Signal Corps in 1899 as 1st Lieutenant. In 1900 he was placed in charge of a cable ship and established communications with the Philippines. He became Chief, Signal Officer, Dept. of Calif. and then was assistant commandant of the Signal School. Was stationed in the office of the Chief Signal Officer and from 1914 to 1916 as Lt. Colonel was a military attaché in London. Performed research on telegraphic and telephony communication and observed British military operations during World War I.

In 1917 he became Chief Signal Officer of the U.S. Army and was a technical advisor at several communications conferences in the 1920's and was known as an authority on electrical communications. He participated in various arms limitations conferences as a representative of the State Dept. during 1920's and died in 1934.

George Owen Squier was born in Dryden, Michigan on March 21, 1865. He entered the army as a second lieutenant of artillery following his graduation from West Point Military Academy in 1887. He was then stationed at Fort McHenry, Md., during which time he studied physics, chemistry, and mathematics at Johns Hopkins University, receiving his Ph.D. in 1893. From 1894 to 1895, he attended the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia, and from November 1895 to April 1898, he was an instructor in the school.

From 1900 to 1902, Squier was commander of the US cable-ship Burnside which laid submarine cables in the Philippine archipelago. He next superintended the construction of telegraph lines in the Philippine Islands. During the coming years, Squier advanced in rank and would be stationed at San Francisco, Fort Leavenworth, and Washington DC. In 1911-1912, he became military attaché at the US embassy in London. The army provided Squier with many opportunities for study and research in areas of interest to him. As a scientist, he conducted research on such topics as the electrochemical effects due to magnetization; the sine wave systems of telegraphy and ocean cabling, the absorption of electro-magnetic waves by living vegetable organisms, among others. His inventions were primarily in the area of telephony: wireless, multiple, and long-distance. He was also inventor of the monophone for broadcasting over telephone wires.

George O. Squier died March 24, 1934