Nyquist, Harry

Swedish-born American Electrical Engineer
1889–1976

Harry Nyquist was an electrical engineer who was affiliated with AT&T from 1917 to 1954 as a researcher and inventor. His practical contributions to the computer science industry include improvements to long distance telephone circuits and picture transmission systems. His theoretical accomplishments in telecommunications laid the groundwork for T1 digital circuitry.

Nyquist was born on February 7, 1889, in Nilsby, Sweden. His family name was originally Jonsson. His parents, Lars and Kataerina Jonsson, had problems receiving their mail in Sweden because other men in the area were also named Lars Jonsson. A common local solution to such problems was for one family to change its name; thus, his family became the Nyquists. Although they were not wealthy and education was not free, the Nyquists managed to send all eight of their children to school for at least six years. Nyquist was...