Nortel Needs More Rudolph Kriegers

By Mark Evans | Published: July 2, 2008

Kriegers
You may be asking: “Who’s Rudolph Kriegler, and why does Nortel need more of him?”.

Good question.

Rudolph Kriegler, one 75 new appointments to the Order of Canada, joined Nortel after escaping Hungary in 1956. He made his mark at Nortel by making important discoveries in silicon and advances in optoelectronics, which led to the development of the company’s fibre-optic transmission equipment.

Kriegler was Nortel’s leading “intelligent subversive” because he lobbied and led the development of optoelectronic devices without his bosses’ approval.

“They didn’t want it done internally,” Mr. Kriegler told the Ottawa Citizen. “I did it against orders, but at that point I had fairly large latitude.”

For more Kriegler and his contributions at Nortel, check out the Ottawa Citizen.

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  • http://ext.com ex-nt

    Yup, Rudy was old school BNR VP. Run the group with an iron fist, know your technology inside and out, sponsor skunk-works, feud with the other tyrannical BNR VP's, guard your budget jealously, ignore Northern Telecom directives, only hire the very best, etc. You could only get into his group with an advanced degree.

  • many

    Ahhh reminds me of the good ol'days with uncle Guy. Not only ignore Northern Telecom…….. actively *mock* them :)

  • Hogan

    Rudy sounds like a smart fella.
    Good for him.
    I would be embarrassed however to accept an Order of Canada Award.
    After the mockery of giving one to Morgentaler…well..nuff said.

  • Another Nortel Watcher

    Rudy benefitted from having a few smart people watching his back. Big George was a big supporter.

  • Another Nortel Watcher

    btw Mark, your editors must have been out for Canada Day. Might want to check spelling of Rudy's last name throughout the post.

  • Apple

    Morgentaler?
    Is it that fella who kills unborn babies?
    I hope I am wrong..

  • Justice

    Unfortunately in the new regime under Mike Z. if you go against your bosses you will be given career guidance to the door. Mr Z and his GEniuses want yes people not intelligent subversives.

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