Contributor Profiles

Willis R. Whitney/Evelyn Jones Whitney

Evelyn Jones Whitney died in 1976, the only child of Evelyn Jones and Willis Rodney Whitney. With her husband, Van Alstyne Schermerhorn, she farmed in Saratoga County.

Evelyn's father, Willis, died in 1958 at the age of 89. In his will he provided that one-third of his residual estate would go into a charitable remainder trust from which his daughter would get the income for her life. He gave his daughter the power in her will to designate the charities to receive the trust at her death. She provided that upon her death one-half of the trust was to go to The Schenectady Foundation, without any restrictions as to its use. The bequest was made in memory of her father and mother.

Willis Whitney was the founder of the General Electric Company Research Laboratory. He was a pioneering electrical scientist who entered the field of electronics with peers such as Steinmetz. Whitney came to Schenectady and Ge in 1900 with the prospect of working with Steinmetz, and the promise that he would be given full freedom to continue his work in any field he wished.

During the years Whitney guided the research program for GE, scientists working under his direction made many discoveries fundamental in the development of radio, radar, television, incandescent lighting, X-rays and turbine power. After creating and developing the research laboratory, Whitney remained as director until his retirement in 1932. He continued as Honorary Vice President for many years, and could be seen in the small laboratory adjoining his office even up to a few months preceding his death.

Among Whitney's many honors were the Perkins, Franklin and Edison Medals; decorations of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and a medal named after himself.