Radio and TV pioneer Ernst Alexanderson's career as an electrical engineer, known for numerous inventions, spanned more than six decades. Born in Sweden and trained in Europe, he immigrated to the United States where he joined General Electric's Test Department and worked under Charles Steinmetz. There he developed a high-frequency alternator and other innovative devices for radio, and, following World War I, at the request of the U.S. Navy, helped create a unique American radio system. While with GE he received 322 patents. He left GE to become chief engineer of the new Radio Corp. of America, following its government-ordered divestiture by GE. During his long career, Alexanderson produced a steady stream of inventions in several related fields including electric power machinery and systems, radio devices and systems, power electronics, circuits and systems, and facsimile, television and radar. He was active in his professional society, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).