Clarence Weston Hansell (January 20, 1898 – c. 1967) was an American research engineer who pioneered investigation into the biological effects of ion air. He was granted over 300 US patents, including, in the 1930s, a precursor to the modern ink jet printer that could print 750 words a minute, its data received via radio telegraph. Only Thomas Edison held more patents.

Life and education

edit

Hansell was born in Medaryville, Indiana on January 20, 1898. He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1919. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Electrical Engineering in 1952.

Career

edit

Hansell founded the RCA Radio Transmission Laboratory at Rocky Point, New York, Long Island in 1925, and headed the lab for over 30 years. He was also involved in radio and fiber optics research and suggested the invention of polarized sunglasses.

His interest in the biological effects of ionized air was spurred in 1932 when he noticed that the moods of one of his colleagues at Rocky Point Laboratory swung in response to the ions being generated by their equipment. He noted that when the equipment generated negative ions, his colleague's mood was upbeat. Conversely, positive ions generated a downbeat mood. Hansell researched the therapeutic possibilities of negative ions throughout his life. Current scientific studies support his findings, and negative ion therapy may be useful in alleviating depression in some people.

He died in 1967. His papers are kept at State University of New York, Stony Brook.

References

edit

[1] [2] [3] [4]

On the biological and mood-altering effects of negative ions

edit

[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

  1. ^ "Clarence Weston Hansell Collection". Stonybrook.edu. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Inductees". 30 September 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  3. ^ "CW Hansell Changed the World". Cwforcitycouncil.org. 6 October 2007. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  4. ^ "- International School of Photonics - ISP Archives - ISP Article Collection -". Photonics.cusat.edu. 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Negative Ions Create Positive Vibes". Webmd.com. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Intense Light Still Best Treatment for Winter Blues". Npr.org. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Columbia Psychiatry". Asp.cumc.columbia.edu. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Columbia University Medical Center - Newsroom". Columbia University Medical Center. Archived from the original on 16 September 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  9. ^ Goel, Namni; Terman, Michael; Terman, Jiuan Su; Macchi, Mariana M.; Stewart, Jonathan W. (2005). "Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression". Psychological Medicine. 35 (7): 945–55. doi:10.1017/s0033291705005027. PMID 16045061. S2CID 18326859. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Negative Ions Information Center - information about negative ions, negative ion generators, ozone, and indoor air quality". Negativeionsinformation.org. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  11. ^ "Aerobiological Engineering". 3 September 2007. Archived from the original on 3 September 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
edit