See also: Laying

Maurice Big shot , born with Voiron the April 5th 1902 and died with Paris the September 26th 1983, is a French engineer, considered as an important figure in the development of the Radar S.

After studies with the Military academy of the Arrow, Maurice Big shot between with the National university in 1920. He obtains the aggregation of physics in 1924.

Attracted by the field of research, he studies the emission of X-ray by vapor saturated with mercury in the laboratory of Maurice de Broglie. Then it leaves to work one year with London on the Diffraction of x-rays. Of return in France, it works during two years at the laboratory of the National university on diffraction. It is in 1927 qu ' it enters, following Yves Rocard, in the laboratories of the Company Radiotechnology. Then it directs the laboratory of the radioelectric French company, subsidiary of the general Compagnie of the wireless telegraphy (CSF), on the techniques of emission.

In 1932, Maurice Ponte resumes the work undertaken by the American and Japanese teams on the Magnétron to create a version industrialisable of it. July 20th, 1934, the CSF deposits the patent of a device of mobile target detection. In 1939, Maurice Ponte carries out for the town of Paris a system of detection of the planes close to what will become the radar. In May 1940, Maurice Big shot and Henri Gutton brings their work to Great Britain.

During the war, it continues its research in clandestinity. Then in 1950, it takes the technical direction of the CSF, of which he becomes the president in 1960. In 1968, during fusion between the companies Thomson and CSF, he becomes honorary president.

In 1958, it has by the Charles de Gaulle to belong to the committee of the 12 wise ones (advisory committee of the scientific research and technique) chapeautant the Head office with the scientific research and technique, and it takes part in the foundation of the Institut of the high scientific studies.

He is elected member of the Academy of Science in 1963. In 1968, he is director of the National agency for the valorization of research and chair French company of astronautics.

Distinctions

• Medal Andre Blondel (1947)
• Hughes Price of the Academy of sciences (1956)
• Gold medal of encouragement to national industry (1962)
• Price Christophe Colomb (1964)
• Commander of the Legion of honor, Large cross about the merit, Commander of the academic palms

External bonds

• Chronology on the site of Radar-France
• L. Neel, Biographical note