Tom Parry Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Parry Jones
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| Born | March 27, 1935 Carreglefn, Wales
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| Died | January 11, 2013 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Alma mater | Bangor University University of Alberta |
| Known for | Electronic breathalyser |
| Spouse(s) | Raj Jones |
Thomas Parry Jones (March 27, 1935 – January 11, 2013) was a clever Welsh scientist and inventor. He is famous for creating the very first small, electronic device to check how much alcohol is in a person's breath. This device is called a breathalyser.
His invention helped make roads safer around the world. For his amazing work, he won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement in 1980. Tom Parry Jones was also a successful business owner and helped young people interested in science.
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Tom's Early Life and Learning
Tom Parry Jones was born on March 27, 1935, in a place called Carreglefn in Anglesey, North Wales. His father was a farmer. Tom grew up speaking Welsh as his first language.
He went to primary school in Carreglefn. Later, he attended Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones school in Amlwch. Tom loved science and studied chemistry at Bangor University, finishing in 1958. After that, he went to Canada to get his doctorate degree at the University of Alberta.
After his studies, Tom became a teacher. He taught at the Royal Military College of Science in England. In 1964, he moved to teach at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) in Cardiff.
Inventing the Breathalyser
In 1967, Tom Parry Jones started his own company, Lion Laboratories, in Cardiff. He worked with an electrical engineer named William "Bill" Ducie. At this time, new rules were made in the UK to help keep roads safe. These rules set a limit for how much alcohol drivers could have in their system. Police needed a way to check this quickly.
In 1969, Lion Laboratories created their first breathalyser, called the Alcolyser. This device used special tubes with crystals inside. The crystals would change color from yellow to green if a person had too much alcohol in their breath.
Tom continued to work at the University while also developing his invention. In 1975, he took time off to focus on making the breathalyser a successful product. He later decided not to return to teaching at the University.
In 1980, Lion Laboratories won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement. This was for their new and improved device, the Alcolmeter. It was the first small, electronic breathalyser. This new device used a special sensor to check alcohol in the breath, which was more accurate. The Alcolmeter was sold all over the world.
Later, in 1983, breathalyser tests became official evidence in court. The Lion Intoximeter 3000 was the first device approved for this use in Britain. Tom Parry Jones once said, "Inventing the device was the easy part. But making it, improving it, and selling it was the real challenge."
Other Important Work
After selling Lion Laboratories in 1991, Tom Parry Jones started another company called PPM Technology. This company made tools to check for harmful gases. He also helped chemistry students at Bangor University through this company.
Tom also started a small airline company called Welsh Dragon Aviation. He would fly passengers from Mona Airport to Cardiff. For over 20 years, he helped the Engineering Education Scheme for Wales. This group encourages young people to get involved in engineering.
Helping Young Scientists
Around 2002, Tom Parry Jones created the Dr Tom Parry Jones Endowment Fund at Bangor University. This fund helps young people who want to work in science and technology. It also supports an annual Science Festival at Bangor. He was also a leader for the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.
Personal Life and Legacy
Tom Parry Jones had a son, Gareth, and two daughters, Diane and Sara, with his ex-wife Jean. He was honored with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1986. He also became a member of the Gorsedd in 1997, which celebrates Welsh culture.
His Passing
Tom Parry Jones passed away on January 11, 2013, at the age of 77, after a short illness. He died in Llandudno General Hospital. Bangor University shared a message saying how much they valued him. They remembered his passion for helping young people learn science and become entrepreneurs.
A special plaque honoring Tom Parry Jones was placed at the Llangefni police station in November 2013. His wife, Raj, unveiled it. The Tom and Raj Jones Trust was also set up to support young business owners.
In 2014, the first Tom Parry Jones Memorial Lecture was held at Bangor University. The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, gave the lecture. He spoke about Tom's amazing contributions as an inventor and a generous person. To celebrate, a Welsh crisp company even made a special sweet chilli crisp dedicated to Tom's achievements. Money from these crisps went to the Trust.
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Tom Parry Jones
