Oakwood’s Premier Unsung hero
Joseph Desch
Joseph Desch was a pioneering figure in the field of electrical engineering, best known for his pivotal contributions during World War II. Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1907, Desch grew up surrounded by a community of craftsmen and innovators, fostering his passion for technology from a young age. After completing his education, Desch began his career at various companies in Dayton, honing his skills in electrical engineering.
In the 1930s, Desch joined the National Cash Register Company (NCR) and established the groundbreaking Electrical Research Laboratory under the guidance of Colonel Edward Deeds. Here, he conducted pioneering research in electronic computing, attracting attention for his innovative ideas and collaborations with leading scientists.
During World War II, Desch’s expertise caught the attention of the Navy, leading to his involvement in the development of electronic counters and the American version of the British Bombe machine. His work on these projects played a crucial role in deciphering encrypted enemy communications, ultimately contributing to Allied victory.
After the war, Desch continued to make significant contributions to the field of computing, receiving recognition for his efforts with the Medal of Merit from President Harry Truman. Throughout his life, Joseph Desch’s dedication to innovation and his pioneering spirit left an indelible mark on the world of technology, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the advancement of modern computing.
Life & Works
Joseph Desch’s Life
1907: Born in Dayton, Ohio.
1918: At age 11, discovers radio and begins building his own equipment.
1920s: Attends Emmanuel elementary school and wins a scholarship to the University of Dayton’s preparatory school.
Early 1930s: Works as an inspector at Day-Fan Electric and later at General Motors Radio, where he meets his future wife, Dorothy, and colleague, Robert Mumma.
1933: Supervises the liquidation of General Motors Radio.
1933-1935: Conducts teletype communications research for Telecom Laboratories, funded by Charles Kettering.
1935: Marries Dorothy.
1935-1938: Works as a foreman for the Process Laboratory at Frigidaire Division of General Motors.
1938: Joins the National Cash Register Company (NCR) to form the Electrical Research Laboratory.
1940: Begins research on electronic counters for high-speed mathematical computing.
1940-1943: Works on developing high-speed counters for the National Defense Research Council (NDRC).
1943: NCR lab is chosen to develop the American version of the British Bombe machine.
1943-1945: Delivers the first American Bombes to the Navy and continues improving the devices.
1946: Files a patent for an electronic calculator, eventually earning the first patent on the modern digital computer.
1947: Receives the Medal of Merit from President Harry Truman for his wartime efforts.
1950s-1970s: Works on various projects, including the development of the NCR 304, the first completely solid-state computer.
1972: Retires from NCR.
1987: Passes away on August 3 at the age of 80.
Joseph Desch: A Founding Father
of Modern Computing
Joseph Desch’s post-war career built upon his pioneering wartime contributions, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in the evolution of modern computing. Following the success of the Bombes, Desch and his team developed several advanced machines to tackle Japanese codes, including the Copperhead, Vipers, and Pythons. These efforts culminated in the Rattler, a groundbreaking electronic code-breaking machine, and other sophisticated systems like the Duenna and Bulldog, which incorporated innovative electronic logic.
Exhausted after years of intense war work, Desch remained at NCR in Dayton while others branched off to form Engineering Research Associates, a precursor to modern computing companies. At NCR, Desch continued his research into gas-filled tubes for computational applications, though the advent of semiconductors eventually eclipsed this technology. His laboratory, later known as “The Lost Lab,” became a forgotten yet symbolic site of early computing innovation.
In 1946, he and his colleague Robert Mumma filed a patent for an electronic calculator, a process initiated in March 1940. This led to a series of interferences filed in the U.S. Patent Office between their application and one by Arthur Dickinson of IBM. The disputes were eventually settled in favor of Desch and Mumma, in part because they demonstrated that Dickinson’s design was unworkable. This victory granted them one of the earliest patents on a modern digital computer.
Desch and Mumma later developed the NCR 304, the first fully solid-state computer, a major milestone in the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors.
Over the next two decades, Desch directed projects that spanned commercial and military applications, including check-sorting systems, magnetic tape units, high-speed printers, and computer peripherals. His work also contributed to advancements in aerospace, such as thermal printers for Apollo missions and radio rescue beacons for downed pilots. His technological innovations extended to the U.S. Postal Service, where he developed zip-code readers and parcel-routing systems.
Desch retired in 1972, leaving behind a legacy marked by innovation, humility, and a Medal of Merit awarded by President Harry Truman in 1947 for his wartime contributions. Though he avoided discussing his early electronics work, his achievements laid the groundwork for modern computing and cryptography.
Joseph Desch passed away on August 3, 1987, at the age of 80, leaving an indelible mark on the technological landscape.