The Real Rainmaker, Atmospheric Scientist Vincent J. Schaefer

June 17, 2022

Dr. Willis R. Whitney, research director at the General Electric Company, watches Dr. Vincent J. Schaefer makes an artificial cloud in a plastic box. (Photo by �� Schenectady Museum; Hall of Electrical History Foundation/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Controlling the weather remains the province of science fiction novels. However, in 1945 a self-taught chemist named Vincent J. Schaefer attempted to make that human fantasy a reality. Obviously, since we’re still living without calendars of prescribed weather, one might assume that Schaefer failed miserably, but you’d be wrong.

Not only did he succeed but the man whose only formal education included “tree surgery” from the Davey Institute gifted the world a litany of inventions and discoveries that still affect our very lives today. Ironically, as Schaefer once said his ignorance led the way, "Well-trained men wouldn't do the things I do. If I found anything, it's most likely because I didn't know better." Here’s Schaefer’s unlikely story.

Despite his lack of formal education Schaefer made incredible discoveries.

Rough Start

Unfortunately, for Schaefer and potentially mankind, the brilliant youth was forced to leave school at the tender age of 15 to support his brothers and sisters. Luckily, he found work at General Electric as a drill press operator. Naturally, his quick mind and natural curiosity pushed him into far more influential work. As he recalled, "From the beginning, I wanted to get into the lab, and kept pestering them until they put me into the model machine shop."