Dr. John George Trump, a distinguished figure in the realm of scientific and engineering innovation, particularly renowned for his groundbreaking work in high voltage machinery and its applications in medicine, passed away on February 21, 1985. His contributions left an indelible mark on various fields, shaping advancements that continue to resonate today. Married to the late Elora Trump, Dr. John Trump’s legacy is also carried on by his three children: John, Karen, and Christine.
At the time of his passing, Dr. John Trump held the esteemed position of professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) within the Department of Electrical Engineering. His influence extended beyond academia as the senior consultant for the High Voltage Engineering Corporation, a company he himself established in 1946. For over two decades, until 1970, he served as chairman of the board, and subsequently as technical director until 1980, guiding the company’s trajectory in the high voltage industry.
Early Life and Education of Dr. John Trump
Born in New York City on August 21, 1907, Dr. John Trump embarked on his academic journey in electrical engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, earning his B.S. in 1929. He further pursued his passion for physics, obtaining an M.S. from Columbia University in 1931. His academic achievements culminated in a D.Sc. in electrical engineering from MIT in 1933, marking the beginning of a long and impactful association with this prestigious institution. Dr. Trump’s career at MIT commenced immediately after his doctorate, starting as a research associate in 1933, progressing to assistant professor in 1936, and achieving full professorship in 1952. Even after his formal retirement in 1973, his dedication to research persisted as professor emeritus until 1980, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to scientific exploration.
Pioneering High Voltage Applications: From Generators to Medical Breakthroughs
Dr. John Trump’s arrival at MIT marked a pivotal moment in the burgeoning field of super-high voltage generation and its diverse applications, collaborating with Professor Robert J. Van de Graaff. While Van de Graaff focused on nuclear physics applications for his electrostatic generator, Dr. Trump’s interests were distinctly twofold: mastering the insulation of super-high voltages in vacuum and compressed gases, and exploring the vast potential of high voltage radiation in biological applications. This pioneering spirit led him to investigate groundbreaking treatments for cancer using megavolt (Mev) X-radiation and electron beams. Furthermore, Dr. Trump conducted extensive studies on food preservation through electron beam technology and explored innovative methods for sewage and sludge treatment using 2-Mev electron beams.
Revolutionizing Cancer Therapy with Megavolt X-rays
With crucial funding from the Godfrey M. Hyams Fund, Dr. John Trump and his team of young researchers undertook the ambitious project of designing and constructing an air-insulated megavolt generator, which was installed at the Huntington Memorial Hospital in 1937. This imposing machine, while occasionally temperamental in humid conditions, demonstrated the clear advantages of megavolt X-ray therapy. The superior penetration depth of these high-energy radiations, compared to conventional lower energy X-rays, enabled the effective treatment of tumors situated deeper within the body, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This marked a significant advancement in radiation oncology.
Building on this success, and with continued support from the Hyams Fund, Dr. Trump’s team embarked on designing a more compact 1.25-Mev generator in 1938, utilizing compressed gas for insulation. This improved machine was installed at the George Robert White Hospital of the Massachusetts General Hospital, where it remained in operation for sixteen years, serving countless patients. Dr. Trump further pursued these advancements by initiating the construction of a 1.75-Mev machine for the American Oncological Hospital of Philadelphia. However, the onset of World War II led to the U.S. Army appropriating this machine for use in the highly secretive Manhattan Project, highlighting the critical importance of Dr. Trump’s high voltage expertise during this period.
Wartime Contributions to Radar Technology and the Manhattan Project
Dr. John Trump temporarily shifted his focus from high-voltage research during World War II to contribute his expertise to microwave radar technology at the MIT Radiation Lab. His leadership and organizational skills were quickly recognized, leading to his appointment as field services director and subsequent posting to the British branch of the Radiation Lab. By 1944, he was named director of the entire lab, undertaking the significant responsibility of directly collaborating with the Eisenhower Military Command. In a notable moment in history, Dr. Trump entered Paris alongside General Eisenhower during the city’s liberation, promptly establishing a Paris branch of the Radiation Lab to further the war effort.
His wartime diary provides a fascinating glimpse into this era, filled with references to now-iconic technologies such as H2X, Oboe, Loran, MEW, and SCR 584, reflecting the “alphabet soup” of technological innovations that defined the time. Dr. Trump’s invaluable service during the war was recognized with both a Presidential Citation and the King’s Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom, underscoring his significant contributions to the Allied victory.
Post-War Innovation and the High Voltage Engineering Company
Following the closure of the Radiation Lab in 1946, Dr. John Trump seamlessly returned to his passion for high-voltage research. He established the High Voltage Engineering Company with the vision of translating electrostatic high voltage machines into practical applications across various industries and research fields. Van de Graaff generators, pioneered by Dr. Trump and his company, rapidly gained global adoption for diverse purposes, including advanced physics research, sterilization of surgical instruments, polymer cross-linking, and radiographic inspection of welds and castings, showcasing the breadth of his technological impact.
Continued Research at MIT: Food Preservation and Cancer Treatment Refinement
Despite his entrepreneurial endeavors, Dr. John Trump’s primary dedication remained at MIT, where he initiated a long-term research program, supported by the Natick Laboratory of the Army Quartermaster Corps, focused on food preservation using high voltage radiation. His research also extended to the bactericidal and viricidal effects of high voltage radiation, exploring its potential in sterilization and disinfection. While continuing to advance compressed gas insulation techniques, Dr. Trump’s most impactful contributions remained in the realm of cancer treatment through radiation therapy.
Dr. Trump and his research team embarked on a systematic investigation into optimizing radiation delivery to deep-seated tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. This research led to the development of an innovative technique involving rotating the patient 360 degrees around the tumor site. This method ensured that the radiation beam entered the body from all directions but converged precisely on the tumor, sparing surrounding healthy tissues. The team further refined treatment techniques by developing static and dynamic beam shaping methods for enhanced protection of healthy tissues. This pioneering work culminated in a twenty-five-year collaborative research venture with the Lahey Clinic. A dedicated treatment facility was established within the MIT High Voltage Lab, where patients were routinely treated under the joint supervision of Dr. Trump, his staff, and physicians from the Lahey Clinic. Over the course of this collaboration, more than ten thousand patients benefited from these advanced radiation therapy techniques, a testament to Dr. Trump’s commitment to translating research into tangible medical benefits.
Electron Beam Therapy and its Unique Advantages
Prior to 1950, high-voltage radiation therapy predominantly utilized X-rays generated by bombarding a gold target with a high-voltage electron beam in a vacuum. However, in a seminal 1940 paper, Dr. Trump, along with Van de Graaff and Cloud, proposed the use of direct high-voltage electrons for therapy, highlighting their unique penetration characteristics. Unlike X-rays, which are absorbed relatively uniformly as they pass through the body, high-energy electrons exhibit minimal ionization until their energy drops below a critical threshold. They then deposit the majority of their ionizing energy within a very short, predictable distance, rarely penetrating beyond this point. The first clinical evaluation of this innovative electron beam technique was conducted in 1951. This approach proved to be particularly effective for treating superficial malignancies, rapidly becoming a standard treatment method due to its precision and reduced damage to deeper tissues.
Addressing Environmental Challenges: Electron Beam Sewage Treatment
In 1976, driven by a sense of civic responsibility, Dr. John Trump initiated his final major research endeavor, tackling the pressing environmental issue of raw sewage discharge into waterways. His calculations demonstrated that a 2-Mev electron radiation system offered a compelling alternative to conventional chlorine treatment for sewage, proving economically competitive while offering additional advantages. Electron beam treatment effectively destroyed many viruses and showed promise in dissociating PCBs and similar harmful compounds into less toxic forms. With support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Trump and his colleagues constructed a pilot sewage treatment plant at the Deer Island Sewage Plant in Boston Harbor. The valuable data generated at this pilot plant led to the development of a commercial sewage treatment facility for the greater Miami area, demonstrating the real-world applicability of Dr. Trump’s innovative approach to environmental protection.
Legacy and Recognition of a Pioneering Visionary
Dr. John Trump’s career was characterized by his pioneering spirit and transformative contributions to high voltage engineering, high voltage machinery, and the medical applications of high-energy radiation. He authored or co-authored over one hundred scientific papers and received numerous accolades from engineering and medical societies throughout his distinguished career. Dr. John Trump was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1977, further solidifying his position as a leader in his field. The National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest scientific honor, was bestowed upon him posthumously in February 1985, recognizing the profound and lasting impact of his work.
Dr. John Trump’s legacy rests not only on his technical achievements and groundbreaking discoveries but also on his quiet leadership and collaborative spirit. His influence extended far beyond the laboratory, impacting countless lives through medical advancements and technological innovations. Dr. John Trump is deeply missed by his extensive network of colleagues and friends worldwide, but his pioneering contributions continue to inspire and shape the fields he so profoundly influenced.
