George H. Heilmeier (1936 - 2014)
George H. Heilmeier was born May 22, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1958. When George grew up he decided to become an electrical engineer. In the 1960’s George pioneered in the creation of LCDs, Liquid Crystal Displays. When he first created LCDs he was working in the laboratory of the Radio Corporation of America. While there, he had been experimenting with the manipulation of tiny liquid crystals in hopes of creating images electronically.
In 1968, the RCA announced that the invention had been successful and it was good enough to become a product. After that, LCDs became widespread and the New York Times claimed that they could revolutionize consumer products. The LCDs went on to create TVs, clocks, and other products with screens. Japan was the first to embrace the LCD technology. George received 15 patents and he acquired multiple awards such as the National Medal of Science and the Kyoto Prize. George H. Heilmeier died of Alzheimers disease on April 22, 2014 in Plano, Texas.
In 1968, the RCA announced that the invention had been successful and it was good enough to become a product. After that, LCDs became widespread and the New York Times claimed that they could revolutionize consumer products. The LCDs went on to create TVs, clocks, and other products with screens. Japan was the first to embrace the LCD technology. George received 15 patents and he acquired multiple awards such as the National Medal of Science and the Kyoto Prize. George H. Heilmeier died of Alzheimers disease on April 22, 2014 in Plano, Texas.