Charles Proteus Steinmetz is perhaps the most beloved pioneer in the field of electrical engineering. A towering intellect in the body of dwarf (he was four feet tall), Steinmetz was a mathematical genius who used his genius to develop a commercial alternating current motor. He was a major figure in the early growth of General Electric, and he remained at that company's facility in Schenectady, N.Y., for most of the rest of his life. There, he took on a variety of volunteer jobs in the community, on the school board, on the planning and park commission. Steinmetz was a very compassionate man, at his best with young engineers and their children. He was a riotously funny speaker at professional engineering meetings and he loved entertaining friends and colleagues at his fishing camp on the Mohawk River, often with cunning practical jokes. And he attracted other gifted men to come work with him. One of them, E.F.W. Alexanderson, came to the U.S. to work with Steinmetz, and, in fact, became Steinmetz's successor at GE's Consulting Laboratory. "The United States has taken a preeminence in radio," said Alexanderson, "because of Steinmetz's scientific acumen."

MODEL: Steinmetz's balance. He was a great scientist. But he was also a fine human being, never too busy to talk to kids, or put on a fine dinner for his colleagues. His middle name, Proteus, is a curiosity. Proteus was the Greek god who could take on any shape or size, could be anything he wanted to be.

Take no prisoners. If you were born on April 9, you are the personification of unusual. No compromise or restriction can water down your talents or abilities. You are outspoken, direct and often brash. Ruled by the number 9 and the planet Mars, you can be impulsive and angry.

Practically creative. You are very imaginative, often humorous, and have a talent for turning fantasy into reality everyone can enjoy. You know when something is too far out and when an idea's time has come. An occupation in the arts and entertainment fields could be just right for you.

Loner. You're not a real people person and may find that your ideas are what brings you together with others. Your outspoken nature and preoccupation with your ideas may leave you isolated and a little lonely. Sometimes, you get a great urge to share personal discoveries with others and there simply is no one around.

Bad influence. Since your uncompromising character and strong work ethic attracts admirers, you have a strong influence on people. But this is not alwa ys a good thing. Not everyone can be excessive and outrageous in their daily life. And sometimes your lack of scruples can get you and your followers in deep doodoo.

Some advice: Try to resist your wildest urges and learn balance. Beware of selfishness and learn to appreciate other people's needs and wants. Compromise and sharing can go along way.

Also born on this day: Paul Robeson (singer, actor, scholar) Mary Pickford (silent film actress) Jean-Paul Belmondo (French actor) Carl Perkins (singer, songwriter) Hugh Hefner (Playboy publisher) Dennis Quaid (actor) Robert Helpmann (dancer, choreographer) Tom Lehrer (songwriter, performer) Sol Hurok (classical music impresario) Efrem Zimbalist (violinist) Justine Hill (anthropologist, archaeologist)