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	Browse inventors by last name: Acheson , Edward Goodrich Carborundum Edward Acheson's discovery of carborundum, a highly effective abrasive . . . . Adler , Robert Television Remote Control Robert Adler invented the first practical, wireless television remote . . . . Affel , Herman A. Concentric Conduction System Herman Affel and Lloyd Espenschied invented coaxial cable at AT&T Bell . . . . Alexanderson , Ernst F. W. Radio Inventor Ernst Alexanderson was the General Electric Company engineer . . . . Alford , Andrew Localizer Antenna System Andrew Alford invented and developed antennas for radio navigation sys . . . . Allen , Samuel Leeds Flexible Flyer Sled Alvarez , Luis Walter Radio Distance and Direction Indicator Luis Walter Alvarez invented a radio distance and direction indicator. . . . . Armstrong , Edwin Howard Radio His crowning achievement (1933) was the invention of wide-band frequen . . . . Atalla , Martin (John) M. Semiconductor Devices Having Dielectric Coatings John Atalla is one of the inventors of the metal-oxide-semiconductor f . . . . Babcock , Alpheus Cast-Iron Piano Frame Babcock , George Steam Generator Baekeland , Leo Hendrik Bakelite Leo Hendrik Baekeland is cited for his research in electric insulation . . . . Baer , Ralph Television Gaming and Training Apparatus Engineer Ralph Baer, a pioneer in the field of interactive video games . . . . Bagley , Rodney D. Catalytic Converter Bagley developed the extrusion die and process that made a thin-walled . . . . Baldwin , Matthias Steam Locomotive Matthias Baldwin built America's first great locomotive. The nation's . . . . Banks , Robert HDPE and Polypropylene Plastics Robert Banks and fellow research chemist Paul Hogan were working for P . . . . Banting , Frederick Isolated, Purified Insulin Millions of diabetics owe their lives to Frederick Banting's idea and . . . . Baran , Paul Digital Packet Switching Paul Baran developed a fundamental concept behind today's advanced com . . . . Bardeen , John Transistor Physicists John Bardeen, William B. Shockley, and Walter Brattain shar . . . . Bateman , C. Donald Ground Proximity Warning System C. Donald Bateman has saved the lives of countless airplane passengers . . . . Beard , Andrew Jenny coupler for railroad cars Beckman , Arnold O. pH Meter Arnold O. Beckman invented a pH meter for measuring acidity and alkali . . . . Begun , S. Joseph Magnetic Recording Semi Joseph Begun was a pioneer of magnetic recording. He developed t . . . . Bell , Alexander Graham Telephone / Telegraphy Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone grew out of his research into ways to improve the telegraph. On April 6, 1875, Bell was granted the patent for the multiple telegraph, which sent two signals at the same time. In September 1875 he began to write the specifications for the telephone. On March 7, 1876, the . . . . Benerito , Ruth Wrinkle Free Cotton Method for Producing Cotton Fabrics Through partial Esterification Bennett , Willard H. Radio Frequency Mass Spectrometer Willard Harrison Bennett pioneered the field of plasma physics and inv . . . . Berliner , Emile Gramophone / Microphone Emile Berliner invented the microphone that became part of the first B . . . . Bessemer , Henry Bessemer Process Best , Charles Purified Insulin Bigelow , Erastus Power loom Binnig , Gerd Karl Scanning Tunneling Microscope Since the invention of the first microscope, scientists have searched . . . . Bird , Forrest M. Respirator / Ventilator On television every week in the 1960s, Dr. Kildare committed himself t . . . . Birdseye , Clarence Frozen Foods In 1924 Birdseye launched General Seafoods to sell frozen fish. Two ye . . . . Biro , Laszlo Josef Ballpoint Pen Black , Harold Stephen Negative Feedback Amplifier Research engineer Harold S. Black revolutionized telecommunications by . . . . Blake , Eli Whitney Machine for Crushing Stone Blanchard , Helen Zig Zag sewing machine Blanchard , Thomas Pattern lathe Thomas Blanchard devised a machine that transformed gun manufacturing . . . . Blodgett , Katharine Burr Langmuir-Blodgett films Blum , Samuel LASIK Eye Surgery Samuel Blum was working with Rangaswamy Srinivasan and James Wynne at . . . . Blumberg , Baruch S. Vaccine for Hepatitis B Baruch Blumberg discovered an antigen in 1963 that detected the presen . . . . Bogardus , James Iron Buildings Bohlin , Nils I. Safety Belt Borden Jr. , Gail Process for condensing milk Bosch , Karl Process of Producing Ammonia Bose , Amar Feedback Control Feedback Control Bower , Robert Field-Effect Device with Insulated Gate; Self Aligned Gate MOSFET Robert Bower invented the Field-effect Device with Insulated Gate know . . . . Boyden , Seth Process for making malleable iron Boyer , Herb Genetic Engineering Herb Boyer was with the University of California, San Francisco when h . . . . Boyle , Willard Charge-coupled device Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith invented the charge-coupled devic . . . . Bradley , Milton Game board Brandenberger , Jacques Cellophane Brannock , Charles F. Foot Measuring Device Brattain , Walter H. Transistor Physicists John Bardeen, William B. Shockley, and Walter Brattain shar . . . . Brill , Yvonne C. Electrothermal Hydrazine Resistojet Yvonne Brill is known for her innovations in rocket propulsion. Her mo . . . . Brown , Rachel Fuller Nystatin (Antifungal / Antibiotic) The world's first useful antifungal antibiotic, nystatin, was developed through a long-distance scientific collaboration. Working as researchers for the . . . . Browning , John Moses Breech-Loading Firearm Brush , Charles Arc lamp for street lighting Bundy , Francis P. Diamond Synthesis Francis Bundy, along with Tracy Hall, Robert Wentorf and Herbert Stron . . . . Burbank , Luther Peach and Fruit During a lifetime devoted to plant breeding, Luther Burbank developed . . . . Burckhalter , Joseph H. Isothiocyanate Compounds (Antigen) Antibodies are the body's protectors. When antigens, such as bacteria . . . . Burroughs , William Seward Calculator William Seward Burroughs invented the first practical adding and listi . . . . Burton , William Meriam Catalytic Cracking Chemist and oil industry executive William Meriam Burton recognized th . . . . Bush , Vannevar Differential Analyzer Calahan , Edward Stock ticker Campbell , Donald L. Catalytic Cracking Donald Campbell was one of four Exxon Research & Engineering Co. (ER&E . . . . Camras , Marvin Magnetic Recording Marvin Camras' inventions are used in modern magnetic tape and wire re . . . . Carlson , Chester F. Electrophotography (Xerox) / Instant Copying Physicist Chester F. Carlson, the father of xerographic printing, was born in Seattle, Washington. Plagued by needs for copies of patent drawings and specifications, Carlson investigated ways of automatic text and illustration reproduction, working out of his apartment. While others sought chemical or photographic solutions to 'instant copying' problems, Carlson turned to electrostatics and in 1938 succeeded in obtaining his first 'dry-copy' and the first of many patents two years later. It took presentations to more than 20 companies before Carlson was able to interest the . . . . Carothers , Wallace Hume Synthetic Rubber Wallace Hume Carothers, who has been called one of the most brilliant organic chemists ever employed by . . . . Carrier , Willis Haviland Air Conditioner American engineer and inventor Willis Haviland Carrier developed the formulae and equipment that made air conditioning possible. The world's first spray type air conditioning equipment was Carrier's 'Apparatus for Treating Air,' which he correctly predicted would be used to enhance comfort as well as improve industrial processes and products. In 1911 Carrier disclosed his basic 'Rational Psychrometric Formulae' to the . . . . Carruthers , George R. Far Electrograph Ultraviolet Camera With the Naval Research Laboratory since 1964, Carruthers has been a d . . . . Carver , George Washington Peanut Products Agricultural chemist George Washington Carver developed . . . . Cepollina , Frank Satellite Servicing Techniques When it comes to furthering innovation in space and technology, Cepoll . . . . Cerf , Vinton Internet Protocol Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn designed the architecture of the Internet . . . . Chapin , Daryl M. Silicon Solar Cell Solar Energy Converting Apparatus Chappelle , Emmett M. Bioluminescence Techniques Charnley , John Acetabular Sockets Acetabular Sockets Cho , Alfred Y. Optical Devices Utilizing Single Crystal GaP or GaAs Films Epitaxially Grown on CaF Substrates and Method of Fabricating Same Alfred Cho is considered "the father of molecular beam epitaxy," a pro . . . . Claude , Georges Neon Tubing Cochran , Josephine Dishwasher Cohen , Stan Genetic Engineering Herb Boyer was with the University of California, San Francisco when h . . . . Collip , James Isolated, Purified Insulin The process for producing enough pure insulin for clinical trials was . . . . Colt , Samuel Revolver with Interchangeable Parts Colton , Frank B. Oral Contraceptives Frank B. Colton developed Enovid, the first oral contraceptive. Colto . . . . Conover , Lloyd H. Tetracycline Lloyd H. Conover invented the antibiotic tetracycline, which became th . . . . Coolidge , William D. Vacuum Tube (X-Ray) William D. Coolidge's name is inseparably linked with the X-ray tube-p . . . . Cooper , Peter First steam locomotive built in America Coover , Harry Superglue Harry Coover's discovery of cyanoacrylates, a class of chemicals with . . . . Corliss , George Improvements in the steam engine Coston , Martha Signal flares used by ships Cottrell , Frederick G. Electrostatic Precipitator As industrial smokestacks became a common sight at the turn of the cen . . . . Coulter , Wallace Coulter Principle One of the giant corporate players in the field of medical technology . . . . Cousteau , Jacques-Yves Diving Unit Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan together invented the modern demand . . . . Cowen , Joshua Lionel Toy Train Coxe , Eckley Traveling grate furnace Cray , Seymour Supercomputer Seymour Cray unveiled the CRAY-1 in 1976, considered the first superco . . . . Crompton , George Loom Curtiss , Glenn Hydroaeroplane After establishing the G.H. Curtiss Manufacturing Company in 1902, Cur . . . . Cushman , Wayne Captopril Daimler , Gottleib Design of automobile and motorcycle engines Damadian , Raymond V. MRI Raymond Damadian invented the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner . . . . Davies , Donald Watts Digital Packet Switching de Mestral , George Velcro In 1955, George de Mestral patented VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners, a . . . . Dean , Mark Peripherals Mark Dean and his co-inventor Dennis Moeller created a microcomputer s . . . . Deere , John Plows John Deere developed the first American cast steel plow. The implemen . . . . Deforest , Lee Radio In the early 1900s, the great requirement for further development of r . . . . Dennard , Robert DRAM Robert Heath Dennard invented one-transistor Dynamic Random Access Mem . . . . Diesel , Rudolf Internal-Combustion Engine Though best known for his invention of the pressure-ignited heat engin . . . . Disney , Walt Multiplane Camera Seldom has an individual become so intrinsically linked to a concept a . . . . Djerassi , Carl Oral Contraceptives Carl Djerassi is recognized for his breakthroughs in chemistry and for . . . . Dolby , Ray Dolby Noise Reduction Ray Dolby revolutionized the audio industry in the 1960s by inventing . . . . Dow , Herbert Henry Bromine Extraction Herbert Henry Dow, founder of the . . . . Draper , Charles Stark Stabilizing Gyroscpic Aeronautical engineer and university professor Charles Stark Draper de . . . . Drew , Richard Gurley Adhesive Tape Drinker , Philip Respiration Apparatus Dunlop , John Pneumatic tire for cycles Durant , Graham John Tagamet - Cimetidine Graham J. Durant, John Colin Emmett, and C. Robin Ganellin led the Smi . . . . Eastman , George Photography Eastman began his search for a transparent and flexible film in 1884. The first commercial film, put into production a year later, was cut in narrow strips and wound on a roller device patented by Eastman and Walker. Film rolls sufficient for 100 exposures were mounted in a small box camera-the . . . . Easton , Roger TIMATION Satellite Navigation System TIMATION is an acronym of TIMe navigATION, proposed by the U.S. Naval . . . . Eckert , J. Presper ENIAC Edgerton , Harold E. Photography Pioneering research in stroboscopic photography by Harold E. Edgerton . . . . Edison , Thomas Alva Electric Lamp One of the outstanding geniuses in the history of technology, Thomas Edison earned patents for more than a thousand inventions, including the incandescent electric lamp, the phonograph, the carbon telephone transmitter, and the motion-picture projector. In addition, he created the world's first industrial research laboratory. In September 1878, after having viewed an exhibition of a series of eight glaring 500-candlepower arc lights, Edison boldly announced he would invent a safe, mild, and inexpensive electric light that would replace the gaslight in millions of homes; moreover, he would accomplish this by an entirely different method of current distribution from that used for arc lights. To back the lamp effort, some of New York's leading financial figures joined with Edison in October 1878 to form the Edison Electric Light Company, the predecessor of today's . . . . Einhorn , Alfred Novocain Einthoven , Willem Electrocardiograph Receiving of Wireless Signals Elion , Gertrude Belle Anti-Leukemia drugs Gertrude Belle Elion invented the leukemia-fighting drug 6-mercaptopurine and drugs that facilitated kidney transplants. Hired by Burroughs-Wellcome (now . . . . Emmett , John Colin Tagamet - Cimetidine Graham J. Durant, John Colin Emmett, and C. Robin Ganellin led the Smi . . . . Engelbart , Douglas Computer Mouse Douglas Engelbart's patent for the mouse is only a representation of h . . . . Ericsson , John Screw Propeller John Ericsson invented the ship propeller and incorporated the landmark device into his design for the Civil War ironclad the Monitor. In 1826 he moved to London, where he showed the breadth of his engineering genius by developing or improving transmission of power by compressed air, new types of steam boilers, condensers for marine steam engines (so ships could travel farther), placing warship engines below the water line (for protection against shell fire), the steam fire-engine, the design and construction of a steam locomotive (which competed with the historic Rocket, the first steam powered locomotive), an apparatus that made salt from brine, superheated steam engines, the flame or 'caloric' engine. His most enduring invention was the screw propeller, which is still the main form of marine propulsion. Early methods of applying steam power at sea-steam-driven oars, paddle wheels-were inefficient and, for warships, vulnerable to enemy attack. In 1839 Ericsson introduced propellers to vessels on the canals and inland waterways and commenced building a 'big frigate' for the . . . . Espenschied , Lloyd Coaxial Cable Evans , Oliver Steam Engine Evinrude , Ole Outboard Motor Faget , Maxime Space Capsule Design Beginning his career designing supersonic aircraft as a part of the Na . . . . Faggin , Federico CPU One of the most important developments of the last half of the 20th ce . . . . Farmer , Moses Electric fire alarm system Farnsworth , Philo Taylor Cathode-Ray Tube Farnsworth's basic television patents covered scanning, focusing, sync . . . . Fergason , James Liquid Crystal Display James Fergason holds a series of patents that form the foundation of t . . . . Fermi , Enrico Nuclear Fission While studying the creation of artificially radioactive isotopes in th . . . . Fessenden , Reginald Radio Reginald Fessenden is known for discovering amplitude modulation (AM) . . . . Firestone , Harvey Pneumatic rubber tires Fitch , John Steamboat Flanigen , Edith Molecular Sieves In 1956, Edith Flanigen began working on the emerging technology of "m . . . . Fogarty , Thomas Embolectomy Catheter In 1963, Thomas Fogarty received a patent for his Fogarty® balloon . . . . Folkman , M. Judah Angiogenesis Inhibition Physician and researcher Judah Folkman introduced the idea that tumors . . . . Ford , Henry Automobile Pioneering automotive engineer Henry Ford held many patents on automot . . . . Forrester , Jay W. Random Access Memory Jay W. Forrester was a pioneer in early digital computer development a . . . . Franz , John E. Glyphosate Herbicide Free , Alfred Glucose Detection for Diabetes In the mid-1940s, Alfred Free and Helen Murray were both chemists work . . . . Free , Helen Glucose Detection for Diabetes In the mid-1940s, Alfred Free and Helen Murray were both chemists work . . . . Freeman , Ross Configurable electrical circuit having configurable logic elements and configurable interconnects Ross Freeman invented the field programmable gate array (FPGA), a comp . . . . Frohman-Bentchkowsky , Dov Erasable programmable read only memory array Dov Frohman-Bentchkowsky invented a computer chip that could be erased . . . . Fry , Arthur L. Post It Notes Art Fry was a new product development researcher at 3M when he learned . . . . Fuller , Calvin Silicon Solar Cell Solar Energy Converting Apparatus Fulton , Robert Steamboat Gagnan , Emile Diving Unit Emile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau together invented the modern demand . . . . Gallo , Robert HIV Virus Isolation and Diagnosis Robert Gallo played a key role in identifying the cause and detection . . . . Ganellin , Charon Robin Tagamet - Cimetidine Graham J. Durant, John Colin Emmett, and C. Robin Ganellin led the Smi . . . . Germer , Edmund Fluorescent Lamp Germer received the Frank P. Brown Medal from the Franklin Institute i . . . . Getting , Ivan Global Positioning System The technological triumph known as the Global Positioning System of sa . . . . Gibbon , John Heysham Heart-Lung Machine Gillette , King Camp Safety Razor Ginsburg , Charles P. Video Tape Recording Charles Ginsburg led the research team at Ampex Corporation in develop . . . . Glidden , Joseph Barbed wire Goddard , Robert Hutchings Solid Fuel Rockets Robert Hutchings Goddard pioneered modern rocketry and space flight an . . . . Goddard , William A. Magnetic Disk Drive Godowsky Jr. , Leopold Color Photography Created a practical film for color photography, and its ease of use an . . . . Goldmark , Peter Carl Phonograph Record Goodyear , Charles Vulcanization of Rubber Natural or India rubber, as it was then known, was of limited usefulness to industry. Rubber products melted in hot weather, froze and cracked in cold, and adhered to virtually everything until the day in the mid-19th century when inventor Charles . . . . Gore , Robert ePTFE, known by the GORE-TEX® brand name Gould , Gordon Laser Gordon Gould coined the word laser and patented optically pumped and d . . . . Gramme , Zénobe Direct current dynamo Gray , Elisha Telegraphic Instruments Greatbatch , Wilson Implantable Pacemaker Wilson Greatbatch invented the cardiac pacemaker, an innovation select . . . . Greene , Leonard Michael Aircraft Stall Warning Device Leonard Michael Greene has patented dozens of inventions in aviation t . . . . Grumman , Leroy Retractable Landing Gear; Folding Wing After serving as a mechanic, flight instructor, test pilot and enginee . . . . Gundlach , Robert Modern Photocopier Gundlach devoted over three decades to the task of transforming the ma . . . . Haber , Fritz Production of Ammonia Hall , Lloyd Sterilizing Foodstuffs Food Preservatives Lloyd Hall was a pioneer in the field of food chemistry, creating many . . . . Hall , Charles Martin Aluminum Charles Martin Hall discovered the electrolytic method of producing al . . . . Hall , Robert N. Magnetron Robert Hall invented the version of the magnetron that operates most m . . . . Hall , Thomas Seavey Improvement in Electrical Signals Hall , H. Tracy Synthetic Diamond The GE Research Laboratories announced on February 15, 1955 that H. Tr . . . . Hallidie , Andrew Cable car Hanford , William Edward Polyurethane William Edward Hanford and Donald Fletcher Holmes invented the process for making the multipurpose material polyurethane.They teamed up at . . . . Hawkins , W. Lincoln Polymer Cable Sheath By finding a way to stabilize the polymers used to coat communications . . . . Hazen , Elizabeth Lee Nystatin (Antifungal / Antibiotic) The world's first useful antifungal antibiotic, nystatin, was developed through a long-distance scientific collaboration. Working as researchers for the . . . . Heilman , M. Stephen Implantable Heart Defibrillator Stephen Heilman co-invented the automatic implantable defibrillator, a . . . . Heilmeier , George H. Electro-Optic Liquid Crystal Device George Heilmeier discovered four new electro-optic effects in liquid c . . . . Henry , Beulah Various inventions for daily use Beulah Henry became known as “Lady Edison” for the number and variety . . . . Hewlett , William R. Audio Signals Cofounder of the electronics giant . . . . Higonnet , Rene Alphonse Photo Composing Machine Louis Marius Moyroud and Rene Alphonse Higonnet developed the first pr . . . . Hilleman , Maruice Ralph Vaccines Hillier , James Electron Microscope Physicist James Hillier is recognized for his contributions to the dev . . . . Hoe , Richard M. Printing Press Hoerni , Jean A. Method of Manufacturing Semiconductor Devices Early in 1959 while at Fairchild Semiconductor, Jean Hoerni invented t . . . . Hoff Jr. , Marcian E. (Ted) CPU In the late 1960s, many articles had discussed the possibility of a co . . . . Hoffman , Felix Aspirin Hogan , Paul HDPE and Polypropylene Plastics Paul Hogan and fellow research chemist Robert Banks were working for P . . . . Holland , John Phillip Submarine Hollerith , Herman Punch Card Tabulator Herman Hollerith invented and developed a punch-card tabulation machine system that revolutionized statistical computation. Hollerith began working on the tabulating system during his days at MIT, filing for the first patent in 1884. He developed a hand-fed 'press' that sensed the holes in punched cards; a wire would pass through the holes into a cup of mercury beneath the card closing the electrical circuit. This process triggered mechanical counters and sorter bins and tabulated the appropriate data. Hollerith's system-including punch, tabulator, and sorter-allowed the official 1890 population count to be tallied in six months, and in another two years all the census data was completed and defined; the cost was $5 million below the forecasts and saved more than two years' time. His later machines mechanized the card-feeding process, added numbers, and sorted cards, in addition to merely counting data. In 1896 Hollerith founded the Tabulating Machine Company, forerunner of Computer Tabulating Recording Company (CTR). He served as a consulting engineer with CTR until retiring in 1921. In 1924 CTR changed its name to . . . . Holley , Alexander Steel making process in America Holly Jr. , Birdsill Modern day fire hydrant Holmes , Donald Fletcher Polyurethane William Edward Hanford and Donald Fletcher Holmes invented the process for making the multipurpose material polyurethane. Holmes teamed up with Edward Hanford at . . . . Holonyak Jr. , Nick LED First LED in the Visual Spectrum Holt , Benjamin Traction-Engine Hood , Leroy E. DNA Sequencer Hoover , Erna Computerized Telephone Switching Electronic Switching Central Processor Overload Control Hornbeck , Larry J. Spatial Light Modulator and Method Larry Hornbeck is the inventor of the Digital Micromirror Device, an a . . . . Houdry , Eugene Catalytic Cracking Eugene Houdry discovered a revolutionary method for cracking low-grade . . . . Hounsfield , Godrey Newbold CT Scan Howe , Elias Sewing Machine Elias Howe invented the first practical sewing machine. Born in Spence . . . . Hulett , George Loading and unloading machine Hunt , Walter Safety pin Hyatt , John Celluloid Hyde , J. Franklin Transparent Silica A periodic chart that Franklin Hyde once designed had the element sili . . . . Ingersoll , Simon Steam powered rock drill Javan , Ali Helium-neon laser Jeffreys , Alec Genetic Fingerprinting Alec Jeffreys invented genetic fingerprinting, a powerful technology t . . . . Joel Jr. , Amos Mobile Communication System Switching Concept for Cellular Phones Johnson , Clarence Aircraft Afterburning Means for Turbo-Jet Engines Jones , Frederick McKinley Air Conditioner for Vehicles Julian , Percy Lavon Cortisone Percy Lavon Julian synthesized physostigmine for treatment of glaucoma and . . . . Kahn , Robert Internet Protocol Kahng , Dawon Electric Field Controlled Semiconductor Device Dawon Kahng was an inventor of the first practical field-effect transi . . . . Kaman , Charles Rotor Control Mechanism for Helicopter In 1940 Kaman began working as an aerodynamicist with renowned helicop . . . . Kamen , Dean Insulin pump Dean Kamen's first major innovation was the AutoSyringe®, a class of a . . . . Keck , Donald B. Optical Fibers Corning Glass researchers Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schult . . . . Kellogg , John Breakfast cereal Kelman , Charles Cataract Surgery Charles Kelman is widely acknowledged as the leading innovator in the . . . . Kettering , Charles Franklin Automobile Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electrical ignition syst . . . . Kies , Mary Dixon Process for weaving straw with silk or thread Kilby , Jack S. Integrated Circuit In 1959 electrical engineer Jack S. Kilby invented the monolithic integrated circuit, which is still widely used in electronic systems. In 1958 he joined . . . . Kingsbury , Albert Thrust Bearing Kleist , Dale Fiberglass Knight , Margaret Machine for making flat bottom paper bags Kolff , Willem J. Artificial Heart Medical researcher Willem J. Kolff invented the artificial kidney dial . . . . Kollsman , Paul Altimeter Kollsman's altimeter gives the pilot the ability to set the existing a . . . . Kroll , William Titanium In 1932, Luxembourg native William Kroll invented a process to produce . . . . Kurzweil , Raymond Optical Character Recognition Kwolek , Stephanie Louise Kevlar Kwolek's earliest work pioneered low-temperature processes for the pre . . . . Lachman , Irwin M. Catalytic Converter Working at Corning, Irwin Lachman co-invented the ceramic substrate fo . . . . Land , Edwin Herbert Photography Physicist, manufacturing executive, and inventor Edwin Herbert Land de . . . . Langer , Alois A. Implantable Heart Defibrillator Langer , Robert Controlled Drug Delivery Langmuir , Irving Electric Lamp Irving Langmuir's work led to two major inventions: the high-vacuum el . . . . Langstroth , Lorenzo Lorraine Beehive Lanza , Vincent L. Polymer Cable Sheath By finding a way to stabilize the polymers used to coat communications . . . . Latimer , Lewis Filament for electric light bulb Lauterbur , Paul Christian Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lawrence , Ernest Orlando Cyclotron Ernest Orlando Lawrence invented the cyclotron, a device that greatly . . . . Lear , William P. Car Radio Though his name is most often associated with corporate jet airplanes, . . . . Ledley , Robert S. CAT Scan Robert S. Ledley invented the whole-body CT (computerized tomographic) . . . . Lewis , Ronald M. Catalytic Converter Ronald Lewis is co-inventor of the ceramic substrate found in catalyti . . . . Link , Edwin A. Link Trainer / Simulator Link received his pilot's license in 1927 and purchased his first airp . . . . Lodge , Oliver Joseph Electric Telegraphy Lumière , Auguste-Marie Cinematographe Lumière , Louis Cinematographe Lynott , John Joseph Magnetic Disk Drive Macdougall , John D. Method of Making Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor with Controlled Threshold Voltage John Macdougall is one of the inventors of the first commercially viab . . . . Maiman , Theodore Harold Laser Physicist Theodore Harold Maiman invented the first operable laser. While employed at . . . . Manchester , Kenneth E. Method of Making Insulated Gate Field Effect Transistor with Controlled Threshold Voltage Kenneth Manchester is a pioneer in the development of ion implantation . . . . Mannes , Leopold Color Photography Created a practical film for color photography, and its ease of use an . . . . Mansfield , Peter Magnetic Resonance Imaging Marconi , Guglielmo Radio In 1895 Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi built the equipment and tra . . . . Martin , Homer Z. Catalytic Cracking Homer Martin was with Exxon Research & Engineering Co. (ER&E) . . . . Mason , John Mason jar Matzeliger , Jan Shoe-lasting machine Mauchly , John ENIAC Maurer , Robert D. Optical Fibers Corning Glass researchers Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schult . . . . Maxim , Hiram Maxim gun; smokeless gunpowder Maybach , Wilhelm Explosion and Combustion Motor Mazor , Stanley CPU In the late 1960s, many articles had discussed the possibility of a co . . . . McCormick , Cyrus Hall Mechanical Reaper Cyrus Hall McCormick invented the mechanical reaper, which combined al . . . . McCoy , Elijah Automatic Engine Lubricator Elijah McCoy received his first patent for an automatic lubricating de . . . . McIntire , Otis Ray Styrofoam Brand Foam Manufacture of Cellular Thermoplastic Products McLean , Malcom Containerized Shipping Apparatus for Shipping Freight McMaster , Harold Tempered Glass Glass Tempering System Including Oscillating Roller Furnace Mead , Carver A. Processor Which Sequences Externally of a Central Processor Carver Mead is an inventor, chip designer, entrepreneur, and universit . . . . Mergenthaler , Ottmar Linotype Ottmar Mergenthaler's invention of the linotype composing machine in 1 . . . . Metcalfe , Robert M. Ethernet Midgley Jr. , Thomas Ethyl Gasoline Knock was a destructive phenomenon that occurred in internal combustio . . . . Miles , Alexander Improved Method for Opening and Closing Elevators Miller , Lewis Combine harvester Millman , Irving Vaccine for Hepatitis B Baruch Blumberg discovered an antigen in 1963 that detected the presen . . . . Mirowski , Michel Implantable Heart Defibrillator Michel Mirowski conceived of the automatic implantable cardioverter de . . . . Moeller , Dennis Peripherals Dennis Moeller and Mark Dean together created a microcomputer system w . . . . Molloy , Bryan B. Prozac Bryan Molloy and Klaus Schmiegel co-invented a class of aryloxyphenylp . . . . Montagnier , Luc HIV Virus Isolation and Diagnosis Dr. Luc Montagnier is best known for his 1983 discovery of the Human I . . . . Moore , Gordon E. Method for Fabricating Transistors As a cofounder of both Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel, Gordon Moore . . . . Morgan , Garrett The Gas Mask and the Three-way Traffic Signal Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask and three-way traffic signal in t . . . . Morse , Samuel F. B. Telegraph Morse developed 'lightning wires' and 'Morse code,' an electronic alph . . . . Mower , Morton Implantable Heart Defibrillator Morton Mower co-invented the automatic implantable cardioverter defibr . . . . Moyer , Andrew J. Penicillin Andrew J. Moyer's discoveries provided the foundation for the industri . . . . Moyroud , Louis Marius Photo Composing Machine Louis Marius Moyroud and Rene Alphonse Higonnet developed the first pr . . . . Mullis , Kary Polymerase Chain Reacton The polymerase chain reaction, which was devised by Kary Mullis, has r . . . . Murphree , Eger V. Catalytic Cracking Eger Murphree, former president of Exxon Research & Engineering Co . . . . Murphy Jr. , William Disposable Medical Trays Disposable Medical Trays Nieuwland , Julius Synthetic Rubber Rev. Julius Nieuwland, C.S.C., was the inventor of the first synthetic . . . . Nobel , Alfred Dynamite Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was also a great industrialist . . . . Nobile , Arthur Prednisone Northrop , John Flying Wing Plane; All-Metal High-Wing Monocoque Airplane (Vega) Northrop began his career in 1916, when he joined the Loughead Brother . . . . Noyce , Robert N. Integrated Circuit Robert N. Noyce, cofounder of . . . . Oliver , Bernard Pulse Code Modulation Bernard Oliver, one of the most prolific and influential inventors of . . . . Olsen , Kenneth H. Magnetic Core Memory Kenneth H. Olsen, described by . . . . Ondetti , Miguel Angel Captopril Otis , Elisha Graves Elevator Brake Elisha Graves Otis didn't invent the elevator, he invented something p . . . . Otto , Nicolaus August Gas-Motor Engine Engineer Nicolaus August Otto invented the first practical alternative . . . . Owens , Michael Joseph Glass Shaping Machine Page , Charles High-voltage induction coil Painter , William Bottle cap Pall , David Boris Leukocyte Reduction Filter Device and Method for Depletion of the Leukocyte Content of Blood and . . . . Palmaz , Julio Intravascular Stent Parker , Louis W. Television Louis W. Parker invented the intercarrier sound system for television . . . . Parkinson , Bradford Global Positioning System Parsons , John T. Numerical Control John Parsons changed the control of machines and industrial processes . . . . Pasteur , Louis Pasteurization French chemist Louis Pasteur was the founder of microbiological scienc . . . . Paul , Les Solid-Body Electric Guitar His innovations led to his first solid-body electric guitar in 1941. C . . . . Pearson , Gerald L. Silicon Solar Cell Silicon Solar Cell Pelton , Lester Waterwheel Pickering , Thomas R. Improved Velocipede Pierce , John Communications Satellite In 1936, Pierce joined Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill, New . . . . Pincus , Gregory G. Oral Contraceptive Plank , Charles J. Catalytic Cracking Charles J. Plank and Edward J. Rosinski invented the first zeolite cat . . . . Plunkett , Roy J. Teflon Chemist Roy J. Plunkett discovered tetrafluoroethylene resin while researching refrigerants at . . . . Pullman , George Pullman car Rabinow , Jacob Optical Character Reading Jacob Rabinow patented over 200 inventions, including his optical char . . . . Renault , Louis Automobiles Reno , Jesse Wilford Escalator Richardson , Ken Fluconazole Fluconazole Rillieux , Norbert Automated Sugar Refining Norbert Rillieux revolutionized the sugar industry by inventing a refi . . . . Rines , Robert H. High Resolution Radar and Sonar Robert H. Rines' contributions to the technology of high-resolution image-scanning radar and sonar began in the era of the . . . . Roebling , John Suspension Bridge In 1841, John Roebling invented a wire rope in order to improve upon t . . . . Rogers , John Raphael Matrix for Linotype-Machine Rohrer , Heinrich Scanning Tunneling Microscope Since the invention of the first microscope, scientists have searched for improved ways to explore the microscopic world. Optical systems were limited by the wavelength of light (roughly 2,000 times the diameter of an atom). Later, electron microscopes achieved much higher resolution by taking advantage of the much shorter wavelength of electrons in forming images. The most recent revolution came with Heinrich Rohrer and Gerd Karl Binnig's scanning tunneling microscope (STM), invented in 1981, which provided the first images of individual atoms on the surfaces of materials. The STM can image atomic details as tiny as 1/25th the diameter of a typical atom, which corresponds to a resolution several orders of magnitude better than the best electron microscope. The STM's significance was quickly recognized throughout the world, and it has been used in fields as diverse as semiconductor science, metallurgy, electrochemistry, and molecular biology. Only five years after Binnig and Rohrer built the first STM, they were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Binnig and Rohrer began their STM work at the . . . . Rosen , Harold Spin Stabilized Synchronous Communications Satellite In 1957, the United States was facing a problem. The Russians had succ . . . . Rosinski , Edward J. Catalytic Cracking Charles J. Plank and Edward J. Rosinski invented the first zeolite cat . . . . Rubin , Benjamin A. Pronged Vaccinating Needle Microbiologist Benjamin A. Rubin ground the eyelet of a sewing machine . . . . Sarett , Lewis Hastings Cortisone Chemist Lewis Hastings Sarett prepared a synthetic version of the hormone cortisone, which was soon demonstrated as an effective treatment against rheumatoid arthritis. Sarett prepared the first synthetic cortisone in 1944, when Merck & Co. was a participant in a government effort to improve military medicine. Four years later the . . . . Saxton , Joseph Measuring instruments Schawlow , Arthur Laser Arthur L. Schawlow was co-inventor of the laser. He worked with Charle . . . . Schmiegel , Klaus K. Prozac Klaus Schmiegel and Bryan Molloy co-invented a class of aryloxyphenylp . . . . Schultz , Peter C. Optical Fibers Corning Glass researchers Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schult . . . . Seaborg , Glenn T. Plutonium Isolation Glenn T. Seaborg was a central figure in the effort to develop atomic . . . . Seeberger , Charles D. Escalator Seiwald , Robert J. Isothiocyanate Compounds (Antigen) Antibodies are the body's protectors. When antigens, such as bacteria . . . . Sellers , William Improvement in Boring-Mills Semon , Waldo L. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) In 1926 Waldo Semon, newly employed in the research department at . . . . Sessler , Gerhard M. Electret Microphone Gerhard Sessler and James West invented the foil electret microphone w . . . . Shannon , Claude Pulse Code Modulation Claude Shannon produced one of the great conceptual breakthroughs of h . . . . Sheehan , John C. Penicillin Sir Alexander Fleming's 1928 discovery of penicillin in bread mold was a tremendous breakthrough for medical science. Unfortunately, Fleming's process for harvesting the antibiotic took months to generate a small amount. During World War II, as demand for penicillin rose, researchers worked feverishly to synthesize the penicillin molecule. More than a thousand scientists in 39 U.S. labs became involved in the project. But when the war ended and the molecule still had not revealed its structure, the funds for research ended. From 1948 to 1957 only one laboratory of continued the research-John Sheehan's. In March of 1957, while a professor at the . . . . Sherman , Patsy Scotchgard (TM) Textile Protector Chemist Patsy Sherman and colleague Sam Smith were working at 3M Compa . . . . Shockley , William Bradford Transistor Physicists John Bardeen, William B. Shockley, and Walter Brattain shar . . . . Sholes , Christopher Typewriter Christopher Sholes invented the first practical typewriter and introdu . . . . Sickels , Frederick Ellsworth Valve for Steam Engines Sikorsky , Igor I. Helicopter Igor I. Sikorsky designed the world's first successful multimotor airplane and the world's first true production helicopter. From 1925 to 1940 he created a series of increasingly successful aircraft which gained for America numerous world records for speed, range and payload. The famed Sikorsky flying 'Clippers' helped pioneer trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific commercial passenger services. Despite the success of the flying boats, Sikorsky continued studying the helicopter. His U.S. Patent 1,994,488, filed June 27, 1931, marked the crucial breakthrough. In late 1938, United Aircraft management (now . . . . Silver , Spencer Post It Notes In 1968, Spencer Silver was a senior scientist working to develop new . . . . Slater , Samuel Spinning Machine Slayter , Russell Games Fiberglass Smith , Samuel Scotchgard (TM) Textile Protector Chemist Patsy Sherman and colleague Sam Smith were working at 3M Compa . . . . Smith , George Charge-coupled device Spangler , James Portable electric vacuum cleaner Spencer , Percy Lebaron Magnetron Percy Spencer, while working for the Raytheon Company, discovered a mo . . . . Sperry , Elmer Ambrose Gyroscopic Compass Elmer Ambrose Sperry invented gyroscope-guided automatic pilots for sh . . . . Sprague , Frank Electric street car Srinivasan , Rangaswamy Excimer Laser Surgery In 1981, Rangaswamy Srinivasan discovered that an ultraviolet excimer . . . . Stanley Jr. , William Alternating Current In the 1880s every system for distributing electricity used direct cur . . . . Steinmetz , Charles Proteus Alternating Current In 1893, Steinmetz joined the newly organized . . . . Sternbach , Leo H. Valium Leo H. Sternbach is known throughout the scientific world for the disc . . . . Stevens , John Steam powered transportation Stevens , Louis Data Storage Machine Data Storage Machine Stibitz , George R. Digital Computer George R. Stibitz is internationally recognized as the father of the m . . . . Stookey , S. Donald Glass Ceramics Donald Stookey invented glass ceramics, materials that embodied import . . . . Strong , Herbert M. Synthetic Diamond Herbert Strong, along with Tracy Hall, Francis Bundy, and Robert Wento . . . . Strowger , Almon Automatic telephone dialing system Sundback , Gideon Modern zipper Swasey , Ambrose Telescope Szilard , Leo Neutronic Reactor / Nuclear Fission Leo Szilard, along with Enrico Fermi, was awarded a patent for the nuc . . . . Tabern , Donalee L. Pentothal / Anesthesia Ernest H. Volwiler and Donalee L. Tabern discovered the general anesth . . . . Tainter , Charles Sound recording instruments Teal , Gordon Kidd Method of producing a semiconductor element Gordon Teal began his career in 1930 concentrating on better vacuum tu . . . . Terry , Eli Clock Tesla , Nikola Alternating Current Nikola Tesla invented the induction motor with rotating magnetic field that made unit drives for machines feasible and made AC power transmission an economic necessity. In 1887 and 1888 Tesla had an experimental shop at 89 Liberty Street, New York, and there he invented the induction motor. He sold the invention to . . . . Thomas , John Fiberglass Thomson , Elihu Electric-Arc Lamp Tiffany , Louis Comfort Glass Tile, Mosaic Timken , Henry Tapered Roller Bearings Henry Timken invented the Timken^® tapered roller bearing. H . . . . Tishler , Max Vitamins Organic chemist Max Tishler developed methods for synthesizing the essential vitamin B2 as well as a poultry disease antibiotic that opened the door to broad expansion of the poultry industry. In 1937 he joined . . . . Townes , Charles Hard Laser Charles Townes' invention of the maser, a device that amplifies electr . . . . Tyson , Charles W. Catalytic Cracking Charles "Wes" Tyson and his three co-inventors at Exxon Rese . . . . Upjohn , William Erastus Dissolvable Pills Van Kannel , Theophilus Revolving Door Volwiler , Ernest H. Pentothal / Anesthesia Ernest H. Volwiler and Donalee L. Tabern discovered the general anesth . . . . von Kármán , Theodore Turbojet Von Kármán began his research in aerodynamics while teaching at the Un . . . . von Ohain , Hans J.P. Jet Engine In August 1939, at Heinkel Airfield near Rostock, Germany, von Ohain's . . . . Waksman , Selman Streptomycin Selman Waksman revolutionized medicine and saved the lives of countles . . . . Wang , An Magnetic Core Memory An Wang made many notable contributions to the advancement of computer . . . . Wanlass , Frank Low stand-by power complementary field effect circuitry Frank Wanlass invented the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CM . . . . Waterman , Lewis Fountain pen Wentorf Jr. , Robert Synthetic Diamond Robert Wentorf, along with Tracy Hall, Francis Bundy, and Herbert Stro . . . . West , James E. Electret Microphone In 1962, James West and Gerhard Sessler patented the electret micropho . . . . Westinghouse Jr. , George Alternating Current George Westinghouse invented a system of air brakes that made travel by train safe and built one of the greatest electric manufacturing organizations in the United States. After briefly attending . . . . Weston , Edward Portable voltmeter Whipple , Squire Iron Truss Bridge Whitcomb , Richard Supercritical Wing In the years after World War II, military aviators found it so hard to . . . . Whitney , Eli Cotton Gin American inventor, pioneer, mechanical engineer, and manufacturer Eli Whitney is best remembered as the inventor of the cotton gin. He also affected the industrial development of the United States when, in manufacturing muskets for the government, he translated the concept of interchangeable parts into a manufacturing system, giving birth to the American mass-production concept. Whitney saw that a machine to clean the seed from cotton could make the South prosperous and make its inventor rich. He set to work at once and within days had drawn a sketch to explain his idea; 10 days later he constructed a crude model that separated fiber from seed. After perfecting his machine he filed an application for a patent on June 20, 1793; in February 1794 he deposited a model at the . . . . Whittle , Frank Jet Engine Inheriting an inventiveness and love of things mechanical from his fat . . . . Wichterle , Otto Soft Contact Lens Widlar , Robert J. Biasing scheme especially suited for integrated circuits Bob Widlar is considered the father of the analog monolithic integrate . . . . Wilcox , Stephen Steam Generator Stephen Wilcox worked with George Babcock to invent the water tube ste . . . . Williams , Robert R. Vitamins Robert R. Williams, Jr., was a telephone company researcher who in his spare time developed ways to synthesize vitamins that helped fight malnutrition and vitamin-deficiency diseases. The vitamin research was conducted in his spare time with the aid of grants and space provided by . . . . Williams , Sam Small Fan-Jet Engine "It's interesting to look back and see what the pioneers did and see h . . . . Winslow , Field H. Polymer Cable Sheath By finding a way to stabilize the polymers used to coat communications . . . . Winton , Alexander Automobile, bicycle, and diesel applications Woods , Granville Railway Telegraphy Wozniak , Steve Personal Computer Wozniak's Apple II personal computer - introduced in 1977 and featurin . . . . Wright , Orville Airplane Orville and Wilbur Wright, American inventors and aviation pioneers, a . . . . Wright , Wilbur Airplane Orville and Wilbur Wright, American inventors and aviation pioneers, a . . . . Wynne , James J. LASIK Eye Surgery James Wynne is co-inventor of a process using a short pulse ultraviole . . . . Yale , Linus Jr. Door lock Zamboni , Frank J. Ice-Rink Resurfacing Machine Zeppelin , Ferdinand von Rigid airship Zworykin , Vladimir Kosma Cathode-Ray Tube Most people think of television as a development of the mid-20th centu . . . .