John T. Polhemus

Doctor John T. Polhemus
John Thomas Polhemus, displaying mounted insects from his collection.
Born	(1929-09-11)11 September 1929 Ames, Iowa
Died	21 May 2013(2013-05-21) (aged 83) Englewood, Colorado
Resting place	Oakland Cemetery, Peterson Iowa
Education	Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering - Iowa State University 1956; Ph.D., Biology - University of Colorado 1977
Occupation(s)	Entomologist, engineer
Spouse	Irma Ruth Polhemus (Kirchner)
Children	Dan A. Polhemus, John M. Polhemus

John Thomas Polhemus (September 11, 1929 – May 21, 2013) was a pioneering American entomologist, bio-engineer, and expert in remote sensing. Known for his extensive research on aquatic Heteroptera (water bugs) and his contributions to NASA’s space programs, Polhemus was a prolific scientist and inventor. His work spanned over six decades and left a lasting impact on both the fields of entomology and bio-engineering. Polhemus wrote 288 peer-reviewed publications and described 474 species new to science.

Biography

Early Life and Education

John Polhemus was born in Ames, Iowa, the youngest of three sons. His father, George Nelson Polhemus, was an engineer supervising operations at the Iowa Highway Commission, and his mother, Elsie Bonham Polhemus (Husted) was a former schoolteacher. John's curiosity for nature, particularly aquatic insects, was ignited during his childhood explorations of local streams, which led to early mentorship with Dr. Carl Drake, a noted heteropterist at Iowa State College.

After graduating from Ames High School in 1947, Polhemus attended Iowa State College but left to serve in the U.S. Air Force, where he trained in radar technology. This experience prompted him to later pursue a degree in electrical engineering, which he completed with honors in 1956.

Engineering Career and NASA Contributions

Polhemus began his engineering career at the California Research Corporation, where he worked on the development of the first mass spectrometer. In 1960, he joined Martin-Marietta (now Lockheed Martin), contributing to NASA's Apollo program. His work resulted in several key patents related to bio-sensing and remote sensing technologies, which advanced both space exploration and medical technology.

Among his notable inventions were the Pulse Transducer with Artifact Signal Attenuator (U.S. Patent 4,198,988), a critical device for heart rate sensors used in space missions(US4198988), and the Condition Sensor System and Method (U.S. Patent 4,092,633), which enhanced motion detection systems, including those used to assist the blind(US4092633). Another key contribution was the Integrated Parameter Display of Galvanometer Reading (U.S. Patent 3,548,378), which improved real-time data monitoring, a crucial feature for spacecraft(US3548378).

Entomological Research and Contributions

Polhemus is best known for his extraordinary work in entomology, particularly the study of aquatic Heteroptera. His scientific career was marked by extensive fieldwork, during which he collected specimens from over 67 countries across six continents. His collection is regarded as the most comprehensive of its kind, with over half a million specimens representing 5,000 species.

According to a 2015 publication by his son, Dr. Dan A. Polhemus, John T. Polhemus authored 288 peer-reviewed publications and described 474 species, 54 genera, and 5 tribes of aquatic Heteroptera. The publication also lists his extensive field collection numbers, providing future researchers with invaluable resources to associate samples and localities. His holotype repositories, containing the species-level taxa, are housed at numerous prestigious institutions worldwide.

Polhemus’s taxonomic work earned him international recognition, and his collaborations with his son Dan furthered their shared legacy. He held numerous academic positions as a Research Associate at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, and the University of Colorado.

Legacy and Impact

In 1985, Polhemus retired from Martin-Marietta to focus entirely on entomology. His unique expertise in both engineering and biology allowed him to pioneer the application of remote sensing data to biological challenges, particularly in pest control efforts for tsetse flies and screw worms. His patents and scientific publications left a lasting imprint on both bio-engineering and entomology, continuing to influence researchers today.

Polhemus’s legacy extends beyond his patents and scientific papers. His comprehensive insect collection, now housed at the Smithsonian Institution, remains a critical resource for entomologists worldwide. His work exemplified the integration of engineering and biological sciences, advancing both fields in significant ways.

Polhemus valued family and nature above all else, and he passed his passion for conservation and scientific inquiry to his children, notably his son Dan, who followed in his footsteps in entomology. His life’s work, spanning both space exploration and the natural world, stands as a testament to his enduring contributions to science and society.