Re: Fwd: Cutie Pie ion meters -Reply

[rkathren@tricity.wsu.edu (Ron L. Kathren)]

A number of years ago, I published a little item on the origin of the name
Cutie Pie in Health Physics.  I'll bet it is finable via Quest (Bill Schadt
take note if it isn't!).  Paul has essentially reporduced what that item said.

Ron Kathren

 >>Is Paul Frame watching?
>
>Yes Chris. I'm a masochist. 
>
>>>Could anyone tell me where the name Cutie Pie comes from. 
>>> I thought it had something to do with Q for charge and the
>>> collection area, but I'm not sure.
>
>I don't believe that anyone really knows the exact origin of the term. 
>The cutie pie seems to have been developed in Oak Ridge during the
>Manhattan Project (almost called the Knoxville Project by the way). I've
>talked to old timers from the instrument group at ORNL about this, guys
>like Cas Borkowski, but they can't tell me exactly who built the first one.
>There is a story that a fellow by the name of Ballou did it and named it
>after his wife whom he thought was a real cutie pie. I tracked Ballou
>down and he denies that he had anything to do with the cutie pie. In any
>event, the strong consensus is that the "Q" for charge and "t" "pie" for
>two pi business makes a nice story but is pure fancy. The most probable
>explanation is that the instrument did such a nice job that they applied the
>term "cutie pie" - a common slang term for something really neat. 
>
>Best wishes to all for the holidays!
>
>Paul Frame
>Professional Training Programs
>ORISE
>framep@orau.gov
>
>