Wayne T. Reader: The Vector Research Company years, 1988–1994

After 30 years of distinguished government service Dr. Wayne T. Reader retired in 1988 and joined Vector Research Co., Inc. as principal research scientist. He continued his Navy‐sponsored anechoic materials research program. He recruited a talented research and development team and established a state‐of‐the‐art dynamic material evaluation laboratory. He developed unique experimental procedures for evaluating static and dynamic properties of viscoelastic materials, an extensive material properties database, and analytical computer programs to predict acoustic performance of layered media including anechoic lining systems. He continued to seek economical solutions to acoustic quieting and won a competitive Navy procurement to design and install an innovative lining system to a large anechoic test tank. While continuing his work with passive voided polymers, he began exploring the advantages of composites containing discrete and distributed piezoelectric particles in a polyurethane medium. In addition to his technical work, Wayne Reader established a working environment which met not only his interests but also the company’s and the Navy’s as well. He attracted and mentored several young scientists who continue to work in this field.