Watson-Watt, Sir Robert Alexander (1892-1973), a Scottish electronics engineer and inventor, helped develop radar. In 1919, he invented a crude form of radio direction finder while associated with the British weather bureau. In 1935, Watson-Watt began to develop ways to detect aircraft using radio waves. By 1940, he had helped to complete reliable radar stations along British shores. These stations played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain during World War II (1939-1945). Watson-Watt was born on April 13, 1892, in Brechin, Scotland. He was knighted in 1942. He died on Dec. 5, 1973.
