He received a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Missouri in 1917. From 1918 to 1921, when he joined the NBS staff, he was in charge of the chemical laboratory of the U.S. Bureau of Mines Experimental Helium Plant in Petrolia, Tex. There, he conducted research and control associated with the extraction of helium from natural gas.
While at NBS, he made important contributions to the development and standardization of methods for the analysis of gases. During World War II, he developed the NBS Carbon Monoxide Indicator to meet the war-time need for a simple and sensitive means for determination of very small amounts of carbon monoxide in military equipment and installations. He also conducted important work on detection of the chemical constituents of smog and the identification of the irritating substances present. He was an advocate of instrumental methods in analysis and contributed greatly to the development and standardization of instrumental methods for the analysis of gases.
He was a member of the American Chemical Society and had published numerous papers in the "Analytical Chemistry" journal. He also served for many years as a reviewer of that journal.
He was an outstanding amateur gardener – having a large garden plot at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., where he and his wife and children grew food for the home, and where his loving grandchildren learned the fine art of gardening. He also loved classical music, and played classical piano by ear, having never taken lessons. Friends observed that he was known for his dry and penetrating wit.
*(All family members were linked by Sigsbee)
He received a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Missouri in 1917. From 1918 to 1921, when he joined the NBS staff, he was in charge of the chemical laboratory of the U.S. Bureau of Mines Experimental Helium Plant in Petrolia, Tex. There, he conducted research and control associated with the extraction of helium from natural gas.
While at NBS, he made important contributions to the development and standardization of methods for the analysis of gases. During World War II, he developed the NBS Carbon Monoxide Indicator to meet the war-time need for a simple and sensitive means for determination of very small amounts of carbon monoxide in military equipment and installations. He also conducted important work on detection of the chemical constituents of smog and the identification of the irritating substances present. He was an advocate of instrumental methods in analysis and contributed greatly to the development and standardization of instrumental methods for the analysis of gases.
He was a member of the American Chemical Society and had published numerous papers in the "Analytical Chemistry" journal. He also served for many years as a reviewer of that journal.
He was an outstanding amateur gardener – having a large garden plot at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., where he and his wife and children grew food for the home, and where his loving grandchildren learned the fine art of gardening. He also loved classical music, and played classical piano by ear, having never taken lessons. Friends observed that he was known for his dry and penetrating wit.
*(All family members were linked by Sigsbee)