George H. Heilmeier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George H. Heilmeier
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| Born | May 22, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | April 21, 2014 (aged 77) Plano, Texas, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Princeton University (PhD, MS, MA) University of Pennsylvania (BS) |
| Awards | IEEE Founders Medal (1986) National Medal of Science (1991) IRI Medal (1993) IEEE Medal of Honor (1997) John Fritz Medal (1999) Kyoto Prize (2005) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Electrical engineering |
George Harry Heilmeier (born May 22, 1936 – died April 21, 2014) was a brilliant American engineer and manager. He is famous for his important work on liquid crystal displays, also known as LCDs. You see LCDs everywhere today, from your phone screen to your TV! His amazing contributions earned him a spot in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His work is even recognized as an IEEE Milestone, which means it was a very important step in technology.
Contents
George Heilmeier's Early Life and Education
George Heilmeier was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went to Abraham Lincoln High School there. He then studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, he earned more degrees (M.S.E., M.A., and Ph.D.) from Princeton University. His studies focused on solid state materials and electronics, which are key to how many modern devices work.
Discovering Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)
In 1958, Heilmeier started working at RCA Laboratories in Princeton, New Jersey. Here, he explored many new technologies. In 1964, he made a huge discovery: he found several new ways that liquid crystals could react to electricity. This led to the creation of the very first working liquid crystal displays. He called his invention the "dynamic scattering mode" (DSM). This was a major breakthrough that changed how we see information on screens.
Working for the U.S. Government
George Heilmeier spent much of the 1970s working for the United States Department of Defense.
- From 1970 to 1971, he was a White House Fellow. This meant he was a special assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He helped plan long-term research and development for the country's defense.
- In 1971, he became the Assistant Director for Defense Research and Engineering. In this role, he oversaw all research in electronics and physical sciences for the military.
- In 1975, he was chosen to be the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This agency is known for developing new technologies for the military. At DARPA, Heilmeier started important projects in areas like stealth aircraft (planes that are hard to detect), space-based lasers, space-based infrared technology, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Career After Government Service
In 1977, Heilmeier left the government and joined Texas Instruments. He became a vice president there. By 1983, he was promoted to Chief Technical Officer, leading all the company's technology efforts.
From 1991 to 1996, he was the president and CEO of Bellcore (which is now called Telcordia). He even oversaw the sale of the company. He continued to serve as chairman and CEO, and later as chairman emeritus.
Awards and Legacy
George Heilmeier received many awards for his incredible work. He also held 15 patents, which are legal rights to his inventions. He was a member of important groups like the National Academy of Engineering.
Heilmeier was the first person in his family to finish high school. His daughter, Beth Jarvie, said that his strong character and his ability to focus and work hard were big reasons for his success. He passed away in 2014 from a stroke.
Heilmeier's Catechism: Questions for New Ideas
Dr. Heilmeier created a famous set of questions. These questions are very helpful for anyone who is planning a new research project or developing a new product. They help you think clearly about your goals and challenges.
Here are the questions, often called "Heilmeier's Catechism":
- What are you trying to do? Explain your goals clearly, without using confusing technical words.
- How is it done today? What are the limits or problems with how things are currently done?
- What is new or different about your approach? Why do you think your idea will work?
- Who cares about this? If your idea is successful, what positive difference will it make?
- What are the risks involved? What are the potential rewards if you succeed?
- How much will it cost to do this project?
- How long will it take to complete?
- What are the steps or "exams" along the way to check if you are succeeding?
Selected Awards and Honors
George Heilmeier received many prestigious awards for his contributions to science and technology:
- 1976 IEEE David Sarnoff Award
- 1990 C&C Prize
- 1991 National Medal of Science, USA
- 1992 National Academy of Engineering Founders Award, USA
- 1993 IRI Medal from the Industrial Research Institute, USA
- 1993 Vladimir Karapetoff Eminent Members' Award, Eta Kappa Nu
- 1996 John Scott Award, City of Philadelphia
- 1997 IEEE Medal of Honor, IEEE
- 1999 John Fritz Medal, American Association of Engineering Societies
- 2005 Kyoto Prize in advanced technology, Inamori Foundation
- 2006 Edwin H. Land Medal
- 2012 Charles Stark Draper Prize, National Academy of Engineering
