Harry Phillips Davis was born on July 31, 1868 in Somersworth, New Hampshire. He received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1890 and B.S. in electrical engineering in 1891. In 1892 Davis married Agnes Taylor. After starting his career at the Thompson Houston Co. in 1891, Davis resigned and moved to East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to work for Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company. In 1892, Davis was appointed to oversee Westinghouse's Detail Engineering Department. In 1909 he was named the Manager of Engineering for Westinghouse and was elected to the post of Vice- President in charge of Manufacturing and Engineering in 1911. Some of the projects he supervised include Hoosac Tunnel, St. Clair Tunnel and the electrification of the Pennsylvania Railroad Terminal. Davis also completed a massive managerial task during World War I, supervising the conversion of Westinghouse's Pittsburgh plant from electrical manufacturing to the production of munitions. Davis is perhaps best known as a pioneer in the radio field. According to the National Radio Club's website, Davis saw the possibilities of radio broadcasting for mass communications. He approved the creation of KDKA, which went into service on November 2, 1920. Davis recognized the commercial possibilities of radio nd led an effort to build a studio and more a powerful transmitter on the roof of the Westinghouse K building in East Pittsburgh. His efforts to promote radio extended to his participation in the creation of the Public Broadcasting Company. This company combined the radio stations of Westinghouse, General Electric and the Radio Corporation of America. Davis served as chairman of the board of directors of the National Broadcasting Company at the time of his death. Davis died on September 10, 1931 in Pittsburgh, and is buried in Worcester, Massachusetts.
From the description of Papers of Harry Phillips Davis, 1915-1944. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 30329462
