In Memory Of
Webster Gilman
Webster Gilman
Webster E. Gilman,93, of Topeka, passed away August 31, 2002 at a local care facility.
He was born on July 31, 1909 in Mendota, IL. to Clarence J. and Ora Mae Ashley Gilman.
Mr. Gilman attended Mendota High School, graduating in 1927. He then attended Aurora College in Aurora,IL, graduating in 1932 with a degree as an electrical engineer.
Mr. Gilman had a long career as an, electrical engineer, inventor and president and chief executive officer of General Magnetics Corp. of Detroit.
In 1941, he designed a new type of magnet used in headphones and microphones for aircraft that later became the basic standard in military use in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.
He designed, produced, and marketed the Thrift Light; the first portable, camera-mounted electronic flash unit for cameras, and designed and manufactured the Tiny tuner wrist radio using tiny hearing aid tubes before the advent of transistors.
In 1965, Stanford University in California built the two-mile linear accelerator where particles were analyzed after an electric beam hit an atomic nucleus.
Mr. Gilman developed and manufactured at General Magnetics Corp. very large magnets that guided the electronic beam to the atomic nucleus.
In 1967, he and his wife moved to Mexico, where he operated a company that manufactured permanent magnets. He set up a factory to manufacture ceramic magnets, was a consultant for Ceneti University Research Group, where he was also a research engineer. While at Ceneti, he headed a small group of research engineers where he designed a magnetic propelled public transportation system for the Mexican government to address the problem of traffic congestion in Mexico City.
He married Dorothy Bair on June 22, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. She survives.
Other survivors include:
3 daughters: Martha Chimitt of Wayne, Pennsylvania
Suzanne Montano of Topeka
Linda Hartka-Reiss of Hudson, New York
1 brother: Wayne Gilman of Leawood, Kansas
8 grandchildren
6 great-grandchildren
Cremation is planned. A Memorial Service will be held at Potwin Presbyterian Church, Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorial Contributions may be made to:
Potwin Presbyterian Church
400 SW Washburn
Topeka, Kansas 66606
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Robert P. Hoover
Funeral Director
He was born on July 31, 1909 in Mendota, IL. to Clarence J. and Ora Mae Ashley Gilman.
Mr. Gilman attended Mendota High School, graduating in 1927. He then attended Aurora College in Aurora,IL, graduating in 1932 with a degree as an electrical engineer.
Mr. Gilman had a long career as an, electrical engineer, inventor and president and chief executive officer of General Magnetics Corp. of Detroit.
In 1941, he designed a new type of magnet used in headphones and microphones for aircraft that later became the basic standard in military use in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.
He designed, produced, and marketed the Thrift Light; the first portable, camera-mounted electronic flash unit for cameras, and designed and manufactured the Tiny tuner wrist radio using tiny hearing aid tubes before the advent of transistors.
In 1965, Stanford University in California built the two-mile linear accelerator where particles were analyzed after an electric beam hit an atomic nucleus.
Mr. Gilman developed and manufactured at General Magnetics Corp. very large magnets that guided the electronic beam to the atomic nucleus.
In 1967, he and his wife moved to Mexico, where he operated a company that manufactured permanent magnets. He set up a factory to manufacture ceramic magnets, was a consultant for Ceneti University Research Group, where he was also a research engineer. While at Ceneti, he headed a small group of research engineers where he designed a magnetic propelled public transportation system for the Mexican government to address the problem of traffic congestion in Mexico City.
He married Dorothy Bair on June 22, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. She survives.
Other survivors include:
3 daughters: Martha Chimitt of Wayne, Pennsylvania
Suzanne Montano of Topeka
Linda Hartka-Reiss of Hudson, New York
1 brother: Wayne Gilman of Leawood, Kansas
8 grandchildren
6 great-grandchildren
Cremation is planned. A Memorial Service will be held at Potwin Presbyterian Church, Saturday, September 7, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorial Contributions may be made to:
Potwin Presbyterian Church
400 SW Washburn
Topeka, Kansas 66606
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Robert P. Hoover
Funeral Director
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