Washington University School of Medicine Oral Histories
Jerome R. Cox, Jr. Oral History
Interviewer
Simon Igielnik, PhD
Summary
Jerome R. Cox, Jr. was interviewed by Simon Igielnik on June 7, 2006 for approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Scope and Content
Cox comments on influential colleagues such as Harold Edgerton, Leo Beranek, Hallowell Davis, Michel Ter-Pogossian, Charles Molnar, and Wesley A. Clark. He discusses his early work at CID, establishment and work of the Biomedical Computer Laboratory (BCL) and Computer Research Laboratory (CRL) at Washington University, and developments in biomedical computing, PET scanning, and computer technology applications.
Biographical Information: Interviewee
Jerome R. Cox, Jr., was born on May 24, 1925, in Washington, D.C. Cox enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in May 1943. By the end of that summer, he had received a draft notice, and he left MIT to attend basic training at Camp Blanding in Florida. Cox served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1944, stationed first in northern Africa and then in Italy, where he developed an infection in his foot. While recovering in August 1944, he received orders to return to the United States to be discharged. Cox returned to MIT to continue his studies that fall, and he went on to complete his bachelor's (1947), master's (1949), and doctoral (1954) degrees in electrical engineering. Cox joined the faculty of Washington University and Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) in 1955 after serving as a consultant in acoustics for Bolt, Beranek, and Newman, Inc., and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. In 1964, he founded the Biomedical Computer Laboratory (BCL) at Washington University School of Medicine, a pioneer in the application of computers to biomedical research. That same year, he was instrumental in bringing the Laboratory Instrument Computer, known as the LINC, and its development team from MIT to Washington University. At Washington University, Cox served as assistant professor of Electrical Engineering, 1955-1958; associate professor of Electrical Engineering, 1958-1961; professor of Electrical Engineering, 1961-1999; director, Biomedical Computer Laboratory, 1964-1975; professor of Biomedical Engineering in Physiology and Biophysics, 1966-1999; professor of Computer Science, 1975-1998; chairman, Department of Computer Science, 1975-1991; professor of Biomedicine, Institute for Biomedical Computing, 1983-1998; professor of Radiology, 1986-1998; director of Applied Research Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, 1991-1995; and senior professor of Computer Science, 1999-2005.
Biographical Information: Interviewer
Simon Igielnik, PhD received his doctorate in physics from Washington University. He served as director of medical computing at Washington University.
Interview Date
2006-06-07
Collection Identifier
OH080
Length
Approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Restrictions
Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Recommended Citation
Jerome R. Cox, Jr. Oral History, OH080, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Disclaimer
The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.
