Pickering, William H.

Biography

William H. Pickering was born in Havelock, a small town on New Zealand's South Island, in 1910. He came to the United States to study at Caltech in 1929. He received his BS from Caltech in 1932, his MS in 1933 and his PhD in Physics in 1936. William Pickering's graduate advisor was Robert Millikan. After completing his PhD, he was hired as an assistant professor in Caltech's Electrical Engineering Department.

In 1944 Dr. Pickering moved to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to head up a new group developing radio telemetry systems for missiles. Five years later, Pickering moved onto a new project at JPL: developing the Army's first long-range, liquid-propelled, supersonic missile, called Corporal. By 1950, Dr. Pickering had ceased teaching at Caltech and had moved up to the Laboratory full-time.

When JPL director Louis Dunn resigned in 1954, Caltech president Lee DuBridge selected Pickering to take over as JPL director. He would remain in this position for twenty-two years, until 1976. Dr. Pickering remained on sabbatical from Caltech through all of his years as JPL director. Dr. Pickering managed the Laboratory during the time when it was transferred from Army to NASA stewardship. He was involved with the Ranger, Surveyor, and Mariner missions in the 1960s and 1970s.

Dr. Pickering was not just involved in JPL missions but was very active professionally outside of JPL. He was president of the International Astronautical Foundation. Pickering was also active in the International Academy of Aeronautics and the International Science Foundation. Dr. Pickering also participated in numerous scientific congresses and conferences throughout his career. He has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. He has received numerous honorary degrees and was awarded the prestigious Columbus Medal in 1964 and the Japan Prize in 1994.

From the guide to the William H. Pickering papers, 1941-1970, (California Institute of Technology. Archives.)