10 Facts About Haraden Pratt

Haraden Pratt was a noted American electrical engineer and radio pioneer.

Haraden Pratt learned Morse code when young and worked briefly as a shipboard wireless operator before entering the University of California.

From 1915 to 1920 Haraden Pratt was a radio aide to the United States Navy, leading its radio laboratory and engineering at Mare Island Navy Yard, California.

From 1920 to 1926 Haraden Pratt worked for the Federal Telegraph Company in Palo Alto, California, where he designed a system for commercial radio telegraph service.

In 1928 Haraden Pratt became chief engineer of the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company, subsequently acquired by the International Telephone and Telegraph Company, where he eventually became vice president and general manager.

Haraden Pratt remained with ITT until 1951 when he served from 1951 to 1953 as telecommunications advisor to Presidents Truman and Eisenhower.

Haraden Pratt was vice president of the American Cable and Radio Corporation from 1953 to 1958.

Haraden Pratt joined the Institute of Radio Engineers, became an IRE Director in 1935, served as president of the IRE in 1938, and was its secretary from 1943 to 1965.

Haraden Pratt was awarded the IRE Medal of Honor in 1944 "in recognition of his engineering contributions to the development of radio, of his work in the extension of communication facilities to distant lands, and of his constructive leadership in Institute affairs," and the Founder's Award in 1960.

Haraden Pratt's papers are archived at the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.