Otto Herbert Schmitt papers

Otto Herbert Arnold Schmitt, B.A. (1934), Ph.D. in physics, mathematics and zoology (1937), Washington University (St. Louis, MO). National research fellow (1937-1938) and Halley Steward research fellow (1938-1939), University College (London, England). Joined University of Minnesota faculty as instructor in zoology in 1939. Promoted to associate professor in 1941 and full professor in 1949. Best known for his invention of the Schmitt trigger (1938); research in the areas of magnetic fields, biophysics, bioengineering, physiology, and medicine; creation of the new discipline of biomimetics; held over 60 patents and published more than 200 articles.

Otto Schmitt was born in St. Louis, Missouri on 6 August 1913 to Otto Franz Johannes Schmitt and Clara Senniger Schmitt. Schmitt began experimenting in various scientific fields as a young child, aided in his efforts by his older brother Francis O. Schmitt and weekly tutoring sessions with Jacob Siler, a close family friend.

Schmitt left high school early and enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, where his brother Frank was now an associate professor. During his undergraduate tenure, Schmitt published eight scholarly articles, many co-authored by Frank; his first article was published in Sciencemagazine entitled, "A vacuum tube method of temperature control" (March 1931). In 1934 Schmitt earned his B.A. degree and was also awarded his first patent entitled, "Electrical System." Schmitt remained at Washington University to complete his Ph.D. in physics, zoology and mathematics (1937).

On 1 August 1937, Schmitt married Viola Elise Muench. The two met while both were enrolled at Washington University. Viola earned a B.A. in Latin in 1934 and an M.A. in mathematics in 1935. After their marriage, she served as Schmitt's unpaid assistant and secretary for his entire academic career.

After completing his Ph.D. in 1937, Schmitt spent the summer working at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory on the coast of Cape Code with his brother Frank, testing out Otto's newly invented electrical equipment that measured and recorded biological impulses on the nerve axioms of squid. Beginning in fall of 1937, Schmitt and Viola moved to London, England, where Schmitt spent two years in post doctoral study at University College. As a National Research Council fellow (1937-1938), Schmitt worked alongside Nobel Prize winner Professor A.V. Hill conducting research on nerve and muscle impulses. He was able to continue his studies for another year with funding by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust fellowship (1938-1939). While at University College, Schmitt would publish an article on his idea regarding circuitry that self-adjusted, which he developed during his Ph.D. work. This article entitled, "A Thermionic Trigger" was published in the British Journal of Scientific Instrumentsin January 1938. This device was later known as the Schmitt trigger and is still used in many electrical instruments, including computers.

In 1939, Schmitt accepted a position as lecturer in zoology at the University of Minnesota. In 1940, he was offered a position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where his brother Frank held the position of professor, but Schmitt decided to stay at Minnesota. He was promoted to the rank of associate professor in 1941 and full professor in 1949 with appointments in the departments of zoology, physics and electrical engineering.

In 1940, Schmitt was commissioned to work for the National Defense Research Committee, later renamed the Office of Scientific Research and Development. In 1942 he began his anti-submarine research, culminating in his invention of an instrument that could detect submarines from planes, based upon the disruption of the earth's electro-magnetic fields by the sub's hull. He also designed a flight simulator that was used to train pilots, as well as more efficient types of radio antennas for high-speed aircraft, and various techniques to jam enemy radio signals. During this time, Viola was employed as a mathematician on various war projects, including the Manhattan Project. Schmitt and Viola both continued to work for the Armed Forces after the end of World War II as scientific consultants and in anti-Soviet research, with Schmitt serving as a supervising engineer for the Airborne Instruments Laboratory (AIL).

Schmitt returned to the University of Minnesota in 1947. Originally inspired by his work with squid nerve cells during his years at Washington University and University College, London, Schmitt continued to conduct scientific research which mimicked the natural world, and applied his findings to the fields of electronics and physics. He became known as the founder of the field of biomimetics and was invited to countless international symposiums as both a speaker and panel participant.

While completing research and teaching courses at the University of Minnesota, Schmitt served as a consultant and frequent member of advisory groups. During the 1950s, he served as a consultant for the U.S. Public Health Services and acting member of the advisory panel of the Space Science Board of Biology and Psychology. From 1958-1961 he was the chairman of the executive council on Bioastronautics, Joint Armed Forces-National Academy of Science. From the 1960s-1980s he served as a consultant or fellow for a number of associations, including the U.S. Air Force and Navy; Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame; Honeywell Biomimetic Sensors Program; McDonnell-Douglass Aircraft Company; New York Academy of Science; General Electric Company; and the National Institutes of Health.

Schmitt's interests were not limited to biophysics. He also had a strong interest in physiology and medicine, photography, and the paranormal. He was noted for his love of the Polaroid camera, and took a picture of everyone who visited his office, terming this collection of photographs the "Rogue's Gallery."

Schmitt’s awards include the Lovelace and Morlock Awards (1960 and 1963), the IEEE EMBS Lifetime Achievement award (1987), and the Medical Alley award (1988). He was also inducted into the Minnesota Inventor’s Hall of Fame (1978), and he helped establish the Schmitt Biomimetic Charitable Foundation, an organization which would award scholarships to young, promising scientific minds.

Long after he had retired, Schmitt continued to lecture as a professor emeritus and conduct research in his basement laboratory with Viola. Viola Schmitt died in 1994 and Otto H. Schmitt died on 6 January 1998, in Roseville, Minnesota.