Historical reviewA pioneer in the development of modern ultrasound: Robert William Boyle (1883–1955)
Section snippets
The early years (1883–1909)
Robert Boyle was born on October 2, 1883, in the fishing and sealing community of Carbonear, Newfoundland. Carbonear is about 60 miles from St. John’s and is located on the northern coast of Conception Bay. His father, Albert Desbrissay Boyle (1857–1932), was born on Prince Edward Island and studied medicine at McGill. Upon graduating in 1877 he initially established a practice as “Physician and Surgeon,” with an office and lodgings in Mr. John Foote’s Hotel in Carbonear (John Foote was a
Immediate postdoctoral years (1909–1911)
In 1909, Boyle was awarded an 1851 Exhibition Scholarship, the same scholarship that had been awarded to Rutherford when he was at Christchurch, University of New Zealand, and which had enabled him to study at the Cavendish Laboratory. It seems likely that Rutherford may have used his considerable influence to ensure that Boyle received this award, thereby enabling him to join his research group in Manchester. This group consisted of many outstanding scientists focused on understanding
Academia: Mcgill and Alberta (1911–1916)
On completing the 2-y term of his scholarship, Boyle returned to McGill in 1911 to join the Physics Department, first as Lecturer and then, in the second semester, as Assistant Professor (Shaw 1955). In writing to Rutherford on August 29, 1912, Boyle states that he missed the old regime in the Physics Department under Rutherford: “… and the feeling of continually treading on hot bricks is not exactly comfortable and for myself I love to breathe a free atmosphere” (Marsden 1956).
In 1907, fires
Development of sonar during world war I (1916–1919)
Hunt’s well-known book on electroacoustics (Hunt 1954) contained a full chapter on the history, including a well-researched section on the development of antisubmarine ultrasonic detection. In a footnote, Hunt pointed out that he had two oral interviews with Boyle to provide a firsthand perspective on the development of ultrasound during WWI.
By 1915, Boyle became concerned with the failure to make use of Canadian scientific expertise and, anxious to contribute to the war effort, he wrote to
Ultrasound research at the University of Alberta (1919–1929)
At the urging of Tory, Boyle returned to Alberta in 1919 to resume his appointment as Professor of Physics at the University of Alberta and to develop a research program focused on the fundamental ultrasonic problems that he had encountered while in England. Two years later, in 1921, he was appointed the Dean of the recently established Faculty of Applied Science, a position he used to create a hub of research in Western Canada. During his years at the University of Alberta, he performed many
National Research Council years (1929–1948)
By 1924, Dr. H.M. Tory (Boyle 1947) had left the University of Alberta to become the founding President of the National Research Council of Canada. According to Middleton (1979), Boyle was in Europe during the summer of 1928 and it seems that Tory had provided him with the expenses needed to visit various laboratories in France, Germany and England. In view of this, it seems likely that preliminary discussions had already taken place concerning the possibility of an appointment in the newly
The final period (1948–1955)
Boyle spent much of his retirement years traveling to many continents, enjoying the company of friends and relations and fishing. He was generally considered to be in good heath, but while on tour in Europe died with little warning in London on April 18, 1955. A funeral service was held at Golders Green Crematorium in London and his ashes were buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, Massachusetts, next to the graves of his parents. Although he never married, he had many relations and friends,
Scientific publications of R.W. Boyle
- [1]
Boyle RW. Absorption of radioactive emanations by charcoal [abstract]. Am Electrochem Soc Trans 1908;13:429.
- [2]
Boyle RW. Absorption of radio-active emanations by charcoal. J Phys Chem 1908;12:484–506.
- [3]
Boyle RW. Absorption and adsorption with reference to the radio-active emanations. Bulletin of the Macdonald Physics Building, McGill University, No 1. pp.1 to 59, April 1910.
- [4]
Boyle RW. Absorption and adsorption with reference to the radio-active emanations. PhD thesis (Supervisors: John Cox, H.T.
Acknowledgements
We especially thank Elinor and Robert Greenway of Lexington, MA, USA, Frederick Boyle of Springvale, ME, USA, Bert Parsons of Carbonear Newfoundland, Dr. John A. Campbell of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and Sarah Power, previously studying at Memorial University, Newfoundland. They all provided us with valuable information (Elinor Greenway is the niece of Dr. Boyle and Frederick Boyle is the nephew). In addition, we are grateful for the assistance and copies of documents provided
References (17)
- Anon. Noted Scientist Dr R. Boyle Dies. Edmonton J, 28th April,...
Rutherford and Boltwood, Letters on Radioactivity
(1969)Henry Marshall Tory: 1864–1947
Proc Trans Roy Soc Can
(1947)Rutherford, Scientist Supreme
(1999)Rutherford
(1939)Seek and Strike: Sonar Anti-submarine Warfare and the Royal Navy 1914–1954
(1984)Electroacoustics: The analysis of transduction and its historical background
(1954)Dr RW Boyle
Nature
(1955)
Cited by (18)
Strain related new sciences and devices in low-dimensional binary oxides
2022, Nano EnergyCitation Excerpt :Alternatively, an applied electric field can induce mechanical deformation of a piezoelectric material [370]. The first application of piezoelectricity was an ultrasonic submarine detector invented by Langevin with Chilowski in 1916 and 1917 [371] and later developed by Robert Boyle using quartz crystals [372]. Langevin’s successful application of piezoelectricity in the generation and detection of ultrasonic waves created an intense interest in further development of devices, such as the invention of the first piezoelectric crystal oscillator in 1921 by Cady [373].
Neuroimaging for the Primary Care Provider: A Review of Modalities, Indications, and Pitfalls
2021, Pediatric Clinics of North AmericaCitation Excerpt :A basic familiarity of these techniques is essential for the pediatrician, to ensure appropriate patient care and to answer the clinical question while decreasing risk to the patient. Ultrasound uses a handheld probe that contains vibrating crystals that emit ultrasonic pressure waves into soft tissue and receive the reflecting pressure waves to create an image.1 Ultrasound can be easily performed at the bedside with small computers, including commercially available transducers that can be connected to smartphones.
Radiology Through History: Canadian Contributions, 1895-1917
2019, Canadian Association of Radiologists JournalBiopiezoelectromagnetic and mechanical effect
2024, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and ApplicationsSonar to Quartz clock: Technology and physics in war, academy, and industry
2023, Sonar to Quartz Clock: Technology and Physics in War, Academy, and IndustryPiezoelectric smart materials and commercialization
2023, Diversity and Applications of New Age Nanoparticles