Raymond F. (Raymond Francis) Yates

Born in Lockport, New York, on September 1, 1895, Raymond Francis Yates built a career around explaining science and technology to general readers. He worked as editor of Everyday Engineering and later as managing editor of Popular Science Monthly, then became associated with Popular Radio during the boom years when radio was capturing the public imagination.

Yates wrote widely on practical science, invention, and hobbies, producing books on subjects such as radio, television, chemistry, model making, workshop skills, and inventing. Titles connected with his name include The Complete Radio Book, A Thousand Needed Inventions, and The Art of Inventing and What to Invent, showing how strongly he focused on making technical ideas useful and engaging for everyday readers.

He died on September 23, 1966. Today he is remembered as one of those energetic nonfiction writers who helped bring modern technology into the home workshop, the classroom, and the imaginations of young experimenters.