Inventor Name
Walker, Hal
Repository
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution
Archives Center
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 601/Room 1100
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202-633-3270
http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives
Physical Description
0.50 cu. ft.: 3 boxes
Summary
This program was the "first in a series of lecture-demonstrations by American inventors and entrepreneurs for young people". Mr. Walker joined the U.S. Navy in 1951, serving four years as a qualified electrician's mate. 1955: joined Douglas Aircraft Company, installing radar systems, while attending Los Angeles City College. Later joined RCA to work on the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System. 1964: Began laser career at Korad Laser Systems (division of Union Carbide Corp.). 1981: joined Hughes Aircraft, helping develop Laser Target Designator Systems (LTDs). 1989: retired from Hughes. 1989: founded A-MAN (African-American Male Achievers Network). Approx. five hours of video footage documenting inventor Hal Walker and his research and development work with lasers and electric automobiles, as described in his lecture, "Lasers and Electromobiles: The Wave of the 21st Century," and demonstration on June 1, 1995. Part of the Lemelson Center's "Innovative Lives" series.