ITC Special Seminar - John Clauson

Date: 

Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: 

Phillips

Missileman

The Secret Life of Cold War Engineer WALLACE CLAUSON

John Clauson grew up believing he was the son of an IBM salesman. Though the family moved often and John’s father, Wallace Clauson, rarely spoke of his work, his family never questioned him nor seemed to notice the inconsistencies and oddities apparent in their daily life. Only decades later, while in his mid-30s, did John finally learn the truth from his father as he was dying of cancer. For over forty years, being an IBM salesman was just a cover. Wallace’s real job was with IBM’s covert Federal Systems Group where, as a mathematical and mechanical savant, he took his orders from the Department of Defense and was charged with ensuring America’s arsenal of nuclear missiles hit their targets.