R O B E R T A D L E R Robert Adler (1913 – 2007) 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 1 R O B E R T A D L E R A presentation in memory of Robert Alder Robert Adler’s Touchscreen Inventions Joel Kent Tamagawa Masao Takeuchi University Greg Laux 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 2 R O B E R T A D L E R Robert Adler’s Touchscreen Inventions We will explore some questions about Adler: 1. Why ultrasonics ? 2. Why SAW touchscreen inventor ? 3. How did his style as an executive develop ? 4. What was last invention to impact our lives ? 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 3 R O B E R T A D L E R Why ultrasonics ? Entered University of Vienna with interest in physics, electronics and radio. From Einstein’s friend Thirring, learned quantum, E&M, optics, … Ph.D. thesis: Lab electronics for the father of polymer science. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 4 R O B E R T A D L E R Why ultrasonics ? Adler 1940 Adler 1939 Hitler 1938 Of Jewish ancestry, escaped from Austria in 1939 … with Nazi passport ! In 1942, why didn’t Zenith Radio Co. put someone so talented in radio & electronics to work on RADAR ? … … Because RADAR too sensitive for an “enemy national.” 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 5 R O B E R T A D L E R Why ultrasonics ? Instead of RADAR, Adler responded to threatened quartz supply and invented an alternate frequency control for radio. Created new industry of electro- mechanical filters … which later evolved into SAW filters. … and thus Adler entered the ultrasonics community. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 6 R O B E R T A D L E R Why SAW touchscreen inventor ? What is a SAW touchscreen? 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 7 R O B E R T A D L E R Why SAW touchscreen inventor ? With resistive, capacitive and IR touchscreens already on the market, who would have thought of SAW? Finger Incident SAW Transmitted SAW Glass … A pioneer in the commercialization of SAW filters. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 8 R O B E R T A D L E R Why SAW touchscreen inventor ? Who was quite at home with electronics for weak MHz signals? Tone burst goes in Only ≈ -80dB comes out A great innovator of improved radio reception. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 9 R O B E R T A D L E R Why SAW touchscreen inventor ? Who had track record for new interactive devices for displays? The inventor of first successful wireless TV remote control. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 10 R O B E R T A D L E R How did his style as an executive develop ? Not only scientist, engineer & inventor … … but also an executive of a major corporation Zenith VP, Director of Research 1963-1978 Fostered creative and ‘democratic’ R&D culture How did someone born in the Hapsburg empire anticipate a ‘Silicon Valley’ executive style ? ! 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 11 R O B E R T A D L E R Possible influence on executive style As a youth, exposed to a rich intellectual environment in the humanities as well as science. Mother was medical doctor devoted to worker safety. Father was a famous political theorist and activist. Conjecture: Adler deeply pondered parents’ social ideals and applied in his own practical and unique way as a executive. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 12 R O B E R T A D L E R What was last invention to impact our lives? SAW touchscreen grating transducer is latest Adler invention now mass produced as a commercial product. But latest is not necessarily the last … 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 13 R O B E R T A D L E R What was last invention to impact our lives? Love-wave touchscreen – topic of Adler’s 2000 Symposium talk Goal: Water immune version of SAW touchscreen Love wave with constant group velocity ! It worked. Invention not commercialized … at least not yet. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 14 R O B E R T A D L E R What was last invention to impact our lives? Will 2004 invention extend success of SAW touchscreens? Disappearing border Then Now ? 1979 Adler paper 1mm provides a clue Touchscreen glass (cross section) Replace SAW Æ SAW Æ SAW with edge wave Æ SAW Æ edge wave 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 15 R O B E R T A D L E R Summary of questions and answers Why ultrasonics ? RADAR off limits to ‘enemy nationals’ Why SAW touchscreen inventor ? Earlier inventions prepared him well How did his style as an executive develop ? Influenced by humanistic ideals of parents What was last invention to impact our lives? Too soon to know. Ask again in 10 years. 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 16 R O B E R T A D L E R Robert Adler (1913 – 2007) Following this talk: Memorial video from April 2007 service Open floor to share remembrances 2 0 0 7 I E E E U L T R A S O N I C S S Y M P O S I U M / 17.