Glen P. Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Glen P. Robinson, Jr.
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| Born |
Glen Parmelee Robinson, Jr.
September 10, 1923 Crescent City, Florida, U.S.
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| Died | January 16, 2013 (aged 89) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Georgia Institute of Technology (1948, 1950) |
| Known for | Co-founding Scientific Atlanta |
| Awards | Georgia's Small Businessman of the Year (1965), Georgia Business and Industry Association's Entrepreneur of the Year (1981), Georgia Technology Hall of Fame (1993), IEEE Fellow |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | Georgia Tech Research Institute, Scientific Atlanta, AirExcel, LaserCraft, and C2 Biofuels |
Glen Parmelee Robinson, Jr. (September 10, 1923 – January 16, 2013) was an American businessman. Many called him the "father of high-tech industry in Georgia." He founded a company called Scientific Atlanta, which is now part of Cisco Systems. Robinson was the very first employee of Scientific Atlanta. He worked there as CEO and then Chairman until he retired.
Glen Robinson loved ham radio as a teenager. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Before starting Scientific Atlanta, he worked at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Later in his life, he started and invested in many science-related companies in Atlanta. Robinson was recognized as an IEEE Fellow for his work. He also held at least 39 patents for inventions, including solar energy devices and antenna systems.
For his important contributions, he received many awards. He was named Georgia's Small Businessman of the Year in 1965. In 1981, he became the Georgia Business and Industry Association's Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also inducted into the Georgia Technology Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2003, Georgia Tech gave him an honorary Ph.D. in Physics. In 2007, a part of Georgia Tech's Molecular Science and Engineering Building was named the Glen P. Robinson, Jr. Tower to honor him.
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Early Life and Education
Glen Robinson was born on September 10, 1923, in Crescent City, Florida. His family moved to Valdosta, Georgia, in 1937. After high school, Robinson opened a small machine shop in Valdosta. He sold industrial products and metal tools to local businesses.
In 1942, Robinson started studying chemical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. However, his studies were paused when he joined the Naval Signal Corps during World War II. He served in the Pacific and helped set up communication systems in areas that American forces had taken back.
Robinson returned to Georgia Tech as a junior. In 1948, he changed his major to physics. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1948 and his Master of Science in Physics in 1950. Robinson was also a member of ANAK, a respected society at Georgia Tech. Since he was 14, Robinson had been a ham radio operator. He even started a radio repair service to earn money while he was a student.
One of Robinson's professors, James E. Boyd, encouraged him to work as a research assistant. This was at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, then called the Engineering Experiment Station (EES). Working after hours, Robinson built a television set in the lab. Many believe this was the first TV built in Georgia. In 1950, Robinson moved to Tennessee. He worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, helping with equipment related to nuclear science.
Founding Scientific Atlanta
On October 31, 1951, Robinson and six other Georgia Tech researchers started a company. Each person put in $100, making a total of $700. Their first goal was to sell antenna structures developed at Georgia Tech to the U.S. military. Robinson worked as the unpaid general manager for the first year.
After the company's first project lost money, Robinson bought out most of the other original investors. He paid them back their $100. Robinson then left his job at Georgia Tech and became the president and CEO of the new company. It was renamed Scientific Atlanta. His friend Larry Clayton, who had worked with Robinson in his radio business, became the head of research and development. Over the years, Scientific Atlanta became a big supporter of Georgia Tech.
Scientific Atlanta first focused on making antennas for military and industrial use. Money was tight at the beginning. In 1954, the Signal Corps ordered a new plastic lens antenna. To test it, they needed a special recorder, but the cheapest one cost $10,000. Since they couldn't afford it, Robinson decided to build his own.
When other companies heard about Robinson's invention, they started contacting Scientific Atlanta. Within six months, Robinson sold his new device to major companies like Western Electric and General Electric. This success attracted investment from Rockefeller Bros., Inc. Within eight years, Scientific Atlanta had 60% of the global market for antenna testing equipment. The company grew to 240 employees, including 40 engineers.
Contributions to Space and Television
Scientific Atlanta played a role in NASA's space missions. They helped set up ground stations for communicating with astronauts during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects. In 1962, when John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, his voice was sent and received by equipment built by Scientific Atlanta.
In the 1970s, Robinson saw the future of combining communications satellites with cable television. Ted Turner bought one of Scientific Atlanta's first satellite systems. This system helped Turner create his "Super Station," which was broadcast across the country. In 1975, HBO and TelePrompTer used Scientific Atlanta equipment to show the first live satellite-delivered cable event. This was the "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Scientific Atlanta became well-known for creating television cable set-top boxes and satellite Earth stations.
Robinson was CEO of Scientific Atlanta for 20 years. He then served as chairman of the board for another eight years, retiring in 1979. Scientific Atlanta grew a lot during his time. It earned $3.1 million in 1962 and about $200 million in 1979. By 2005, its yearly revenue was $1.9 billion. Scientific Atlanta also helped many other companies get started in the region.
Later Career and Investments
After leaving Scientific Atlanta, Robinson continued to innovate. In 1978, he founded E-Tech. This company developed heat pump technology and other high-tech solutions for energy saving and solar energy. Robinson said, "I like to pioneer new fields, to start small businesses." E-Tech's first product was an electric heat pump water heater that cut water heating bills by 50%. E-Tech also worked on solar energy projects for the United States Department of Energy.
In 1994, Robinson helped start LaserCraft. This company focused on using LIDAR technology for things like radar guns used by law enforcement. By 2006, LaserCraft was the world's largest maker of laser products for law enforcement.
Robinson was also an angel investor, which means he provided money to help new companies get started. He especially invested in digital communications and biotechnology. In 1999, he funded OmniMetrix and Mission Communications, two companies focused on wireless communication. In 2000, he invested in Genomic Solutions Inc. Most recently, Robinson was an investor and co-founder of C2 Biofuels in 2007. This company aims to build large plants to create cellulosic ethanol across the United States.
Legacy and Honors
Glen Robinson served on many important boards. These included the Georgia Science and Technology Commission and the Georgia Tech Research Corporation. He was also a trustee for The Georgia Tech Foundation. He served on the boards of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.
Robinson was a member of the Defense Science Board, which advises the United States Department of Defense on science and technology. He also spoke at the White House Conference on the Industrial World Ahead. This meeting brought together top business leaders to discuss technology, social change, and the future of American business.
Robinson was elected an IEEE Fellow in 1977. He received the award of Outstanding Engineer of Region III by IEEE in 1978. He was named Georgia's Small Businessman of the Year in 1965 and Entrepreneur of the Year in 1981. In 1993, he was inducted into the Georgia Technology Hall of Fame. Since 1995, Scientific Atlanta has offered scholarships in Robinson's name for children of its employees.
In 1998, Robinson donated money to create two special positions at Georgia Tech. These were the Glen P. Robinson Chair in Non-Linear Science and the Glen P. Robinson Chair in Electro-Optics. In 2003, Georgia Tech gave him an honorary Ph.D. in physics. In 2007, part of Georgia Tech's Molecular Science and Engineering Building was named the Glen P. Robinson, Jr. Tower. This was partly due to his $5 million donation for its construction.
Robinson continued to work with new technology businesses throughout his life. He passed away on January 16, 2013, at the age of 89. He left behind his wife, Jan Musgrove Robinson, five children, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
