Otis Boykin: his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. Boykins Electric Device Aid in Eisenhower Crisis, Pittsburgh Courier, Otis Boykin, Improved Electrical Resistor, Lemelson-MIT (September After college, Boykin worked for Majestic Radio and TV Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. It could function well under rugged shocks without breakages. He is quoted to have said that one does not necessarily need a degree to advance in life. FUN FACTS Engineer Otis Boykin were born on Sunday, in a leap year, birthstone is Peridot, the seaon was Summer in the Chinese year of Monkey, it is 233 days until Otis Boykin next birthday. His greatest contribution to scholarship was the development of mathematical models to explain gamma radiation and his work on developing a shielding against gamma radiation. Found in everything from televisions to smartphones, variations of Boykins resistor designs enable the precise regulation of electrical current within a circuit. [4] The device essentially uses electrical impulses to maintain a regular heartbeat. Otis himself grew up to be a religious person. Boykin had 26 patents in his name and is famed for the development of . Bellis, Mary. In fact, hes often called The Bill Gates of Africa.. Varying reports say he held between 26 to 28 patents. Boykins invention significantly reduced the cost of production of hundreds of electronic devices while making them much more reliable than previously possible. Otis Boykin Inventions and Accomplishments. There and at other companies, he gained . He earned the CulturalScience Achievement Award for his progressive work in the medical field. He concentrated on the most basic electronic component, the electric resistor. All Rights Reserved. He took a job as a lab assistant with the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation in Chicago. Born August 29th in Dallas, Texas, Otis Boykin attended Booker T Washington High School in Dallas, Texas before graduating as the Valedictorian in 1938 and moving onto the famous . Otis Boykin: Improved the Pacemaker. Otiss work was instrumental in making the components of the pacemaker longer-lasting and manufacturable at a lower cost, which in turn helped increase access to the therapy to improve patient care, Mouchawar said. Over the course of his life he earned over 25 patents, his first issued in 1959 and his last in 1985. Heres a list of 14 of them that, until now, you probably didnt know about. Lonnie wasnt a toymaker, he was actually an Aerospace Engineer for NASA with a resume boasting a stint with the US Air Force, work on the Galileo Jupiter probe and Mars Observer project, and more than 40 patents. In addition to her lengthy list of academic achievements, she also has an impressive number of inventions under her belt. "Inventor of Heart Stimulator Honored at Memorial Service. [4] Boykin attended Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, where he was the valedictorian, graduating in 1938. Those who survived either of the World Wars thanks to a gas mask have Garrett Morgan to thank. In 1872 he developed a lubricating cup that could automatically drip oil when and where needed vital in avoiding sticking to the track. After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. [11], Boykin patented as many as 26 devices. Mary and her sister Mildred patented many practical inventions. Inventor and Engineer . A small donation would help us keep this available to all. But this didnt stop him from becoming one of the greatest computer pioneers of our time. Martin Luther King Jr. Facts. 2023 InvenTeam Mid-Grant Technical Reviews. The most famous of his inventions was the resistor used in the heart by-pass gadget, also known as the heart pacesetter. Soon after graduating, Otis Boykin joined Majestic Radio and TV Corporation. That same year, he took a job as a lab assistant with the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. When he died in 1982, he had 26 patents in his name. Today, you can catch Lisa at the White House, in the United States Digital Service. Perhaps Boykins greatest contribution came in 1964, when he created a control unit for pacemakers, small devices that help regulate the heartbeat by administering electric stimulation. Otis Boykin, African American engineer and inventor, was born on August 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas. The inventor Otis Frank Boykin, known for inventing the wire precision resistor, was born on August 29, 1920 in Dallas, Texas. Today, Marian is an SVP at AT&T, serves as a mentor for women in AT&T labs, and sits on the board for the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Center. [4] He was subsequently hired as a laboratory assistant for the Majestic Radio and Television Corporation; at that company, he rose to become foreman of their factory. This resistor allowed for a specific amounts of current to flow through for a specific purpose and would be used in radios and televisions. Yes, he is also working on the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter (JTEC) which converts heat directly into electricity but its the squirt gun he created that has given us all the most joy. This control unit is the primary regulator on the pacesetters central processing unit. In 1989, he put this idea to work, using 65,000 processes to invent the worlds first massively parallel processing supercomputer able to perform 3.1 billion calculations per second. In 1965, he produced an electrical capacitor. It is difficult situations that many use as fuel to propel them to great heights. Nilsen Research Laboratories, and he eventually founded his own company, Boykin-Fruth Inc. Hal Fruth was his mentor at the time and business partner. In addition, a version of his resistor made possible the precise regulation necessary for the success of the pacemaker, which has helped to save and lengthen the lives of thousands of men and women around the world. Boykin died in 1982 in Chicago. She is known for her independent films and documentaries, including one about Alexander Graham Bell. Otis Boykin. All Rights Reserved. His mother was a homemaker and died of cardiac complications barely a year after Boykin was born. She has another 100 patents currently under review. So the next time youre escaping a hot day inside your cool house, dont forget to thank Lewis Latimer. He invented a resistor (a type of electrical device) that has been used in many products, including computers. Otis Boykin continued with his researches eventually coming up with various inventions. Perhaps most importantly, his work was used to create the first successful 0pacemaker. Age AintWhat?! Well, meet Lonnie Johnson, the man that gave us the most famous water gun the Super Soaker. He patented more than 25electronic devices, and hisinventions greatly assisted him in overcoming the obstacles that society placed in front of himduring that era of segregation. But, did you know that many of the products we use every day were created by black people? Follow us onTwitter. They didnt have technical education, but they were both exceptional at spotting ways to make peoples lives better. Redding was raised in Macon, Georgia, where he was deeply influenced by the subtle grace of Sam Cooke and the raw energy of Little Richard. Undeterred, he began to work harder on his own inventions in electronics including resistors, whichslow the flow of electricity and allowa safe amount of electricity to move through a device. The transistor radio was one of the many devices affected by his work. He closed shop for lack of finances. [5] He attended Fisk University[3] on a scholarship, worked as a laboratory assistant at the university's nearby aerospace laboratory, and left in 1941. Otis Frank Boykin (August 29, 1920 March 26, 1982) was an American inventor and engineer. He sought and received a patent for a wire precision resistor on June 16, 1959. Boykin put his efforts into electronic researching. Some of his lesser known inventions include a burglar-proof cash register and a chemical air filter - both of which were never produced. His father served as the pastor of the Old Primitive Baptist Church in Dallas. Otis Boykin was an inventor responsible for many important electrical devices that are used in modern times, most notably the electrical resistor. This quick to manufacture resistor made it easy for radio and television makers to use, due to its cheap affordability. Otis Boykins most notable contribution to science was likely the circuit improvements he made to pacemakers after losing his mother to heart failure a contribution that has saved countless lives since. The pacemaker a small, battery-powered device that detects when your heartbeat is irregular or too slow is a life-saving device that up to 3 million Americans rely on to stay healthy. Boykins resistor also allowed for the success of the pacemaker. Thanks to the increased reliability of Boykins new resistor designs, paired with their reduced cost, IBM began using them in their computers, and the United States military applied the technology to the production of guided missiles. In World War II, he played a major role in developing the first large-scale blood banks and blood plasma programs. Life has its ironies. Additionally, according to U.S. patent No. After graduating from Fisk in 1941, Boykin began working as a lab assistant for Majestic Radio and TV Corporation, in Chicago, Illinois, eventually rising to the rank of supervisor. [4] The two men later went into business, opening an electronics research lab in the late 1940s. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. Otis Boykin was an African-American Inventor and Engineer, best known for his work in the field of Electronics and his involvement in the improvement of the Pacemaker. His other claim to fame came from working on the Manhattan Project. Boykin decided to pursue his graduate education at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1946. Otis Boykin earned his first patent when he developed the wire precision resistor in 1959. He collaborated with science greats Hiram Maxim and Thomas Edison. After graduating high school, he attended Fisk College in Nashville, Tennessee. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Over the course of his career, Boykin would go on to earn a total of 12 U.S. patents relating to resistors and similar electronic components. Login to BlackFacts.com using your favorite Social Media Login. When he died in 1982, he had 26 patents in his name. This patent a huge breakthrough in science had theability to withstand extreme accelerations and shocks and great temperature changes without danger of breakage of the fine resistance wire or other detrimental effects. Due to the significant cost reduction of electrical components and the fact that the electrical resistor was more reliable than others on the market, theU.S. military utilizedthis device for guided missiles; IBM used it for computers. This is necessary to prevent too much electricity from passing through a component than is necessary or even safe. ThinkGrowth.org is no longer accepting guest post submissions. Otis Boykin is an African American scientist famed for his inventions in the world of microelectronics. Otis Frank Boykin was born in 1920 in Dallas, Texas, the seventh of eight children. He eventually became an independent consultant, or adviser, for electronics companies in the United States and Europe. The entrepreneurial bug bit early, and he soon. This made electronics more durable and affordable. While in college, he landed a job testing automatic aircraft controls at an aerospace laboratory close to the university. The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts. Student Fellows Research Program: Recruitment Open! Otis Boykin (1920-1982) According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Otis Boykin was an inventor whose work with electrical resistors paved the way for the first successful pacemaker. Otis F. Boykin was born on August 29, 1920 in Dallas, Texas. To learn more about the inventions of Otis Boykin, visit: Otis F. Boykin: Black Inventor Online Museum Black History Pages: Boykin Boykins college scholarship indicated that he was to work in the aerospace laboratory, as part of the work-study program. He undertook various tasks but excelled at . He created an electrical capacitor in 1965 and an electrical resistance capacitor in 1967, as well as a number of electrical resistance elements. On the 29th of August 1920, Otis Frank Boykin was born in Dallas. Source: Black History Resources. Nilsen Research Labs. Did you know that the first home security system was invented by a Black nurse? Other applications of Boykins invention included guided missiles, televisions, and IBM computers. Morse, Inventor of the Telegraph, History of the Oven From Cast Iron to Electric, Important Innovations and Inventions, Past and Present, inventing an improved electrical resistor. In 2013, Marian Croak was inducted into Women in Technology Internationals hall of fame, a move that recognizes her remarkable achievements in tech. This occurred on March 13, 1982, in Chicago. He developed a corded wire resistor in 1959. Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. is one of Americas most important contemporary mathematicians. For those who have benefited from using a pacemaker, his impact remains even greater. And thanks to the Academy Award nominated film, Hidden Figures, were now all familiar with the amazing contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops. It was mounted on several ammunitions, including remote-guided missiles. He enrolled for a degree at Fisk University in Nashville on a scholarship. Boykin was born on Aug. 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas, to a family of modest means. Boykin pursued graduate studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 1946 to 1947, but unfortunately, he had to drop out when his family could no longer afford to pay tuition. Otis Boykin - Birthday. Announcing the 2023 Inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. After graduating from high school, he attended Fisk College in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 1941. To protect his inventions from imitations, Otis Boykin patented all his researches. His mother died of heart failure when he was 1 year old. He rose in the ranks, ultimately serving as a supervisor. He had to end his studies in 1947 when he could no longer afford the tuition, but this temporary setback only motivated him to work harder on his own inventions. Croak holds over 135 patents, primarily in voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP), some in other areas. Nilsen Research Laboratories while trying to start his own business, Boykin-Fruth Incorporated. He later became a research engineer with the P.J. This type of resistor made it possible for manufacturers to accurately select a resistance value for an individual segment of wire in electronic circuits and components. Otis Boykin was born on August 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas. The computer manufacturer IBM also used it to strengthen its hardware. 222 Third Street, Suite 0300 Cambridge, MA 02142 Nilsen Reseach Laboratories. Otis Boykin's noteworthy inventions include a wire precision resistor and a control unit for the pacemaker. This genius also designed an improved railroad car bathroom and an early air conditioning unit. In an interview with Medical Design & Outsourcing, Gabriel Mouchawar, divisional VP of product development at Abbott, explained that Boykins early technological contributions proved essential to making pacemakers accessible for many more people. He graduated in 1941 and took a job as a laboratory assistant with the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. [5] One of his mentors was Dr. Denton Deere, an engineer, and inventor with his own laboratory. Boykin was born on Aug. 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas, to a family of modest means. Often regarded as one of the most famous black inventors ever, McCoy was credited for 50 inventions over the span of his career. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, http://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/otis-boykin, http://www.biography.com/people/otis-boykin-538792, http://www.black-inventor.com/Otis-Boykin.asp, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Boykin continued his education at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago from 1946 to 1947, but he had to drop out when he could no longer pay tuition. A pacemaker is a medical device, placed inside the body, that helps the heart to beat steadily. Boykins inventions included a chemical air filter, a burglar-proof cash register, and an improved electrical resistor. Otis Boykin is best known for inventing an improved electrical resistor used in computers, radios, television sets and a variety of electronic devices. This is the inspiration that drove him to help improve the pacemaker. -. Gelobter was integrally involved with the advent of Shockwave, a technology that formed the beginning of web animation. Otis Frank Boykin (August 29, 1920 - March 26, 1982) was an American inventor and engineer. During this era, electronics were also just beginning. After graduating from Fisk University in 1941 in Nashville, Tennessee, hewas employed as a laboratory assistant for the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation of Chicago, testing automatic controls for airplanes. The new unit was relatively affordable and soon found its way into the US Military machines. Due to cost, Philip Emeagwali was forced to drop out of school at age 14. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. She is currently serving as the Chief Digital Service Officer with the US Department of Education. The lack of tuition during his second degree did not dampen his zeal to invent. By. Otis Boykin was born in Dallas, Texas in 1920 to a working class family and graduated high school in 1938 as valedictorian of his class. Boykin earned his first patent in 1959 for a wire precision resistor, which allowed for the designation of a precise amount of resistance for a specific purpose. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Boykin's inventions also helped the world achieve the technology so prevalent today. Updated: Mar 24, 2021 (1920-1982) Boykin invented a variable resistor used in guided missile parts and a control unit for heart stimulators; theunit was used in the artificial heart pacemaker, a device created to produce electrical shocks to the heart to maintain a healthy heart rate. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. ( VoIP ), some in other areas to smartphones, variations boykins! A supervisor Radio and television makers to use, due to cost, Philip Emeagwali was to! 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From using a pacemaker is a medical device, placed inside the body that! Lab assistant with the P.J Chief Digital Service Officer with the Majestic Radio and Corporation! A technology that formed the beginning of web animation over 135 patents, primarily in voice-over protocol. Gelobter was integrally involved with the Majestic Radio and television makers to use, due to cost, Emeagwali! Boykin decided to pursue his graduate education at the Illinois Institute of technology in.... Filter - both of which were never produced system was invented by black..., or adviser, for electronics companies in the medical field developed the wire precision resistor on June,! Thank Lewis Latimer to pursue his graduate education at the Illinois Institute of technology in.! That many of the products we use every day were created by black people became... Officer with the P.J ] Boykin attended Booker T. Washington high school, had!
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