Philip Sporn
November 25, 1896 - January 23, 1978
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Scientific Discipline: Engineering Sciences Membership Type:
Member
(elected 1962)
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Phillip Sporn was a prominent engineer who made numerous contributions to the advancement of electric and alternative power technologies. Sporn is certainly best known as one of the most innovative presidents of the American Electric Power company. In addition to the administrative duties required of him in this position, Sporn was also said to have been actively involved in nuclear research and development, and was responsible for much of the research that led to the development of the electric space heater, advancements in lightning protection, and was connected to most other energy-related advancements in the industry throughout his career.
Sporn graduated from Columbia University in 1917 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began working at American Electric Power (AEP) in 1920, and by 1947 became the fourth President of the company. Sporn was a member of both the National Academy of Science as well as the National Academy of Engineering. Sporn received the highest honor for an engineer in the United States, the John Fritz Medal, in addition to the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Edison Medal in 1945.
