Oral Histories

This oral history interview with Dr. Robert Lee, a retired metallurgical engineer and technical advisor, chronicles his journey from a humble upbringing in Montreal to his distinguished career at Air Liquide and his significant contributions to metallurgical engineering. Dr. Lee recounts the challenges of growing up in a poor immigrant family, the importance his parents placed on education, and his early fascination with mathematics and industry. He details his academic path at McGill University, the mentorship and camaraderie he found there, and his pioneering work in the use of industrial gases for steelmaking, most notably the development of the porous plug and submerged oxygen injection processes, which revolutionized steel production globally. The interview also highlights Dr. Lee’s role in interdisciplinary innovations, including advances in cryobiology and wastewater treatment, and his philosophy of lifelong learning and adaptability across research and industry. Dr. Lee's story is a testament to perseverance, ingenuity, and the transformative power of applied science in industrial practice.