George Edward Alcorn Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Edward Alcorn Jr.
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Alcorn in 2011
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| Born | March 22, 1940 Indianapolis, Indiana
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| Died | June 19, 2024 (aged 84) |
| Alma mater | Occidental College Howard University |
George Edward Alcorn Jr. was a brilliant American scientist. Born on March 22, 1940, he was a physicist, an engineer, and an amazing inventor. He also taught at universities like Howard University. Dr. Alcorn worked for big companies like IBM and for NASA, the space agency. He created over 30 inventions and earned 8 patents. Because of his important work, he was honored in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Early Life and Family
George Edward Alcorn Jr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents were Arletta Dixon Alcorn and George Edward Alcorn, Sr. He also had a younger brother named Charles.
Education and University Career
George Alcorn was a very smart student. He earned a special scholarship to attend Occidental College in Los Angeles. There, he studied physics and earned his Bachelor of Science degree with high honors. He was also a talented athlete, playing both basketball and football.
After Occidental College, he continued his studies at Howard University. In just nine months, he earned a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Physics in 1963. During the summers, he worked as a research engineer for North American Rockwell. He helped with computer analysis for rockets like the Titan I and II, the Saturn, and the Nova.
Dr. Alcorn earned his PhD in Molecular and Atomic Physics from Howard University in 1967. After finishing his education, he became a professor. He taught electrical engineering at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. He eventually became a full professor, sharing his knowledge with many students.
Working in Private Companies
After earning his PhD, Dr. Alcorn spent twelve years working for different companies. He held important roles, such as senior scientist at Philco-Ford. He was also a senior physicist at Perkin-Elmer and an advisory engineer at IBM. In these jobs, he used his scientific skills to solve real-world problems.
Amazing Inventions
Dr. Alcorn is best known for inventing the X-ray spectrometer. This amazing device helps scientists study materials by looking at their X-rays. For this invention, he received the NASA–Goddard Space Flight Center award for Inventor of the Year in 1984.
He also created other important inventions. These included new ways to use plasma etching for making tiny parts in electronic devices. In 1999, he was recognized for helping to develop the Airborne LIDAR Topographic Mapping System (ALTMS). This system uses lasers to create detailed maps of the Earth's surface.
In 2015, Dr. Alcorn's incredible work was honored. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his invention of the X-ray spectrometer. This is a very special award for inventors who have made a big difference.
Personal Life
George Alcorn married Marie DaVillier in 1969. They had one son, who was born in 1979. After his first wife passed away, he later married Dorothy Green. Dr. Alcorn passed away on June 19, 2024.
Images for kids
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Alcorn in 2011
