Frank Bower Harris
- Birthplace
- New York, NY, USA
- Death date
- 1999/02/05
- Associated organizations
- Technology for Communications International
- Fields of study
- Communications
Biography
Frank Bower Harris Jr., was born in New York City. Dr. Harris earned a B.S. and Ph.D. in physics at MIT. After teaching at Syracuse University, in 1958 he came west to join Stanford Research Institute, then in its infancy.
In 1963 he was a founder of Technology for Communications International (TCI), a company that designed huge communication antennas for the Voice of America and other clients worldwide.
Dr. Harris developed the computer program WIRA, which was used to analyze antennas made from thin cylindrical conductors. This program enabled TCI to produce vastly superior antennas quickly and inexpensively. With Gerry Solberg, he created a program called STRUC that was used to analyze structures made from cables and towers. Thirty years after their creation, his programs are still in active use at TCI. His antennas have been installed in 102 countries. TCI antennas are being used to broadcast to remote villages in Africa and Asia as well as forming the backbone of the BBC World Service, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe shortwave networks. He retired in 1986.
Dr. Harris was fluent in French and Spanish.
An accomplished bridge player, he reached the rank of life master in duplicate bridge, and he and his wife, Lillian, traveled the United States, participating on a tournament level.
Harris died on February 5th, 1999.
