The Final Countdown To...

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Black History Month - February 06 - Otis Boykin


Otis Boykin invented electronic control devices for guided missiles, IBM computers, and the control unit for a pacemaker.  Boykin was born on August 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Fisk College in 1941. Afterwards, he took job with the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation and later the Nilsen Research Laboratories.  According to A&E, "Boykin, who took a special interest in working with resistors, began researching and inventing on his own." Later, in June, 1959, he received a patent for a wire precision resistor.. This resistor were used in both radios and televisions. In 1961, he developed a resistor that could handle extremes in temperature and pressure. "The device, which was cheaper and more reliable than others on the market, came in great demand by the United States military and IBM.  In 1964, Boykin moved to Paris, creating electronic innovations for a new market of customers. His most famous invention was a control unit for the pacemaker. Ironically, Boykin died in Chicago in 1982 as a result of heart failure. Upon his death, he had 26 patents to his name."

Otis Boykin is best known for inventing an improved electrical resistor used in computers, radios, television sets and a variety of electronic devices. His resistor helped reduce the cost of those products. Otis Boykin also invented a variable resistor used in guided missile parts, a control unit for heart stimulators, a burglar-proof cash register and a chemical air filter.

No comments: