About Cal Laning
Lived 1906 – 1991 (aged 85). Cal Laning was an American military officer.
Rear Admiral Caleb Barrett Laning (born 27 March 1906, Kansas City, Missouri; died 31 May 1991, Falls Church, Virginia) was a highly decorated naval officer, writer, and technical adviser. Laning is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
He was the nephew of four star Admiral Harris Laning.
Combat Information Center role Laning was involved in the development of the U.S. naval Combat Information Center (CIC) during World War II. The idea was taken "specifically, consciously, and directly" from the spaceship Directrix in the Lensman novels of E. E. Smith, Ph.D., and influenced by the works of his friend, collaborator, and Naval Academy classmate, fellow Missourian Robert Heinlein. However, for bureaucratic reasons, the source of the idea was not disclosed.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Cal Laning?
United States Navy officer
When was Cal Laning born?
Cal Laning was born on 27 March 1906 in Kansas City, Missouri.
When did Cal Laning die?
Cal Laning died on 31 May 1991 in Falls Church.
What was Cal Laning's occupation?
Cal Laning was a military officer.
What nationality was Cal Laning?
Cal Laning was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Cal Laning. https://biography.guide/cal-laning/
MLA: "Cal Laning." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/cal-laning/.
Chicago: "Cal Laning." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/cal-laning/.
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