MC2 Michael Ehrlich

Digital Services Librarian Irene Berry stands next to the Dr. Joseph Weber exhibit that she helped create in the Dudley Knox Library, April 7. An NPS alumnus, Weber overcame opposition by pioneering research into the existence of gravitational waves.

"The interesting story is that he was just recently vindicated … his work has shown to be valid and significant," said Berry.

Weber claimed to have discovered gravitational waves, ripples in space and time, while working at the University of Maryland, College Park in 1969, though no one else was able to recreate the results. His work continued, despite the National Science Foundation cutting off his funding, until 2000 when he passed away at the age of 81.

In February of this year, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory announced the detection of gravitational waves, generated by the merge of two black holes.

"I think this tells us a lifelong, learning story," said Berry. "He had the interest, and to me, it just shows that the work you do in your graduate or postgraduate studies may take a few years to pay off."

Weber's Navy service began in 1936 when he won a scholarship toward admittance to the U.S. Naval Academy. He served in combat during WWII, earned his master's degree from NPS, and headed electronic countermeasures design for the Navy's Bureau of Ships prior to his separation from service.

"He had an amazing naval career, surviving some significant battles, then went on to graduate education," said NPS Librarian Eleanor Uhlinger. "When he stepped out of the Navy, he got his Ph.D., became a professor, and gave back for years and years."