21 Facts About Elmer Imes

Elmer Samuel Imes was an American physicist who demonstrated for the first time that Quantum Theory could be applied to the rotational energy states of molecules, as well as the vibration and electronic levels.

Elmer Imes's work provided an early verification of Quantum Theory, and his spectroscopy instrumentation inventions, which include one of the earliest applications of high resolution infrared spectroscopy, led to development of the field of study of molecular structure through infrared spectroscopy.

Elmer Imes was the second African American to earn a Ph.

Elmer Imes was among the first known African-American scientists to make important contributions to modern physics; others' prior work was unrecorded or uncredited.

Elmer Imes's father earned a divinity degree at Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1880.

Elmer Imes held degrees from Fisk, Union Theological Seminary, and Columbia University.

Elmer Imes completed his high school education at the Agricultural and Mechanical High School in Normal, Alabama.

Elmer Imes graduated in 1903 from Fisk University, a historically black college, with a bachelor's degree in science.

Elmer Imes taught at the Emerson Institute, founded in Mobile, Alabama by the American Missionary Association.

Elmer Imes returned to Fisk in 1913 as an instructor of science and mathematics.

Elmer Imes went to the University of Michigan for graduate study in physics, earning a Ph.

Elmer Imes was the second African American to receive a Ph.

On May 3,1919, after moving to New York City to work in industry, Elmer Imes married Nella Larsen, a nurse who became a writer.

Elmer Imes had returned to Fisk University in 1929 for an academic career, developing and leading its physics department.

Elmer Imes's work was one of the earliest applications of high resolution infrared spectroscopy and provided the first detailed spectra of molecules.

Elmer Imes worked in physics at the Federal Engineers Development Corporation in 1918 and with the Burrows Magnetic Equipment Corporation in 1922.

In 1930, Elmer Imes returned to Fisk University, where he served as chair of the physics department.

Elmer Imes is credited with the academic development of the physics programs at Fisk.

In 1931, Elmer Imes was named one of the thirteen most gifted Black Americans.

In 1939, Elmer Imes returned to New York, where he conducted research as a scholar in magnetic materials at the physics department at New York University.

Elmer Imes was part of Sigma Xi National Honor Society; The American Physical Society; The American Society for Testing Materials; and The American Institute of Electrical Engineers.