James Hillier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Hillier
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| Born | August 22, 1915 Brantford, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | January 15, 2007 (aged 91) Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Citizenship | Canadian American |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto |
| Known for | Commercializing the electron microscope President of the Electron Microscope Society of America (1945) |
| Awards | Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research (1960) IEEE Founders Medal (1981) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | RCA |
James Hillier (born August 22, 1915 – died January 15, 2007) was a smart Canadian-American scientist and inventor. He is famous for helping to create the first successful electron microscope in North America. He built it with Albert Prebus in 1938.
Contents
About James Hillier
Early Life and Education
James Hillier was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He loved learning and went to the University of Toronto. There, he studied Mathematics and Physics.
While he was a student, he worked on a special project. He helped build a working version of the electron microscope. This amazing invention had been thought of by another scientist named Ernst Ruska. James Hillier's work helped make these microscopes even better. His prototype became a model for many electron microscopes that came after it.
Working at RCA
In 1941, James Hillier moved to the United States of America. He started working for a big company called the Radio Corporation of America. He spent many years there, helping to improve the electron microscope. He also helped sell these microscopes to science labs and universities.
During his time at RCA, he received 41 patents. A patent is like a special permission that protects an invention. This means he invented many different devices and processes! He also held important leadership roles at RCA, helping to guide their research and engineering teams.
After Retirement
James Hillier retired from RCA in 1977. But he didn't stop working! He became an advisor, sharing his ideas about how technology could help countries around the world. He also worked hard to encourage science education for young people.
Even though he became a U.S. citizen, he always remembered his hometown of Brantford. In 1993, he started the James Hillier Foundation. This foundation gives scholarships every year to students from Brant County who want to study science.
James Hillier passed away in Princeton, New Jersey, in 2007.
Awards and Recognition
James Hillier received many important awards for his work.
- In 1950, a school in Brantford, Ontario, was named the James Hillier Public School in his honor.
- In 1960, he won the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research. This award is for important medical discoveries.
- In 1980, he was added to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the greatest inventors.
- In 1997, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive.
