Today In Black History
Dr. George Carruthers, Astronautical Engineer and Inventor
Issue #479 Today In Black History, Monday, January 29, 2024
Today’s Black History WOW!
Dr. George Robert Carruthers was an American engineer and inventor who made significant contributions to the field of space science. Born on October 1, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Carruthers was passionate about science and engineering from a young age.
Dr. Carruthers attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. During his time at the university, he worked on several pioneering projects, including the development of the Far Ultra-Violet Camera/Spectrograph (FOCUS), which would later become his most famous invention.
In 1969, Dr. Carruthers joined the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C., where he continued his groundbreaking work. It was at NRL that he developed the first successful far ultraviolet camera/spectrograph, which was later used by NASA during the Apollo 16 mission to the moon in 1972. This invention allowed scientists to capture the first-ever images of the Earth's atmosphere in far-ultraviolet light, providing valuable insights into its composition and behavior.
He remained at NRL until 2002, retiring as a senior astrophysicist in the Space Sciences Division.
In 1975, Dr. Carruthers was awarded the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal by NASA, and in 2012, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his pioneering work in far ultraviolet astronomy. In 2013, he was awarded the 2011 National Medal for Technology and Innovation by President Barack Obama.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Carruthers was also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the field of engineering. He actively mentored and encouraged young minority students to pursue careers in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Dr. Carruthers firmly believed that diversity was essential for innovation and progress and dedicated his life to breaking down barriers for underrepresented communities in science and engineering.
Dr. George Robert Carruthers passed away on December 26, 2020.
Today In Black History
- - In 1926, Violette Neatley Anderson became the first African American woman admitted to practice before the U.S., Supreme Court.
- In 1969, Patricia Roberts Harris was named Dean of Howard University’s Law School.
- In 1989, Black Episcopal Priest Barbara Harris was elected as the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion.
- In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating Black chemist Percy Lavon Julian.
- The “Comments” feature has been disabled. Instead, let’s discuss these facts in our community on Substack Notes. You can also read other Substack publications without subscribing to them when you join Notes.
This post is free to read/listen to for five days after publication. To have 365 24/7 access to all our posts and podcast episodes and financially support “We Are Speaking” for no more than $5 per month, please subscribe at the paid level. You will receive a 7-day FREE trial!
Are you an independent author or creative professional looking for a place where you can tackle those branding and marketing challenges and learn with me through valuable books and online courses? The Global Creative Community Branding and Marketing Academy (GCC BMA) is for you!
