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Year: 1982

Who: Lonnie Johnson

Where: USA

What: Lonnie Johnson, an African American inventor, engineer, and entrepreneur born on October 6, 1949, has significantly impacted both consumer products and advanced technology sectors. He is best known for inventing the Super Soaker®, a powerful water gun that became a cultural icon and revolutionized outdoor play. The idea for the Super Soaker® originated in a serendipitous moment in 1982 while Johnson, then a nuclear engineer, was experimenting with a new heat pump that utilized pressurized water vapor. The experiment led to an unexpected powerful stream of water, sparking the idea for a high-powered water gun.

Johnson developed the initial prototype using plexiglass, PVC pipes, and a two-liter soda bottle as a reservoir. After refining the design, he partnered with the Philadelphia-based Larami Corporation to produce the toy, initially marketed as the "Power Drencher." It was later rebranded as the Super Soaker®, quickly becoming the top-selling toy in America, with over $200 million in sales in the early 1990s. Throughout the years, Super Soaker® sales have soared to nearly one billion dollars.

Johnson's career began with a focus on energy and aerospace technologies, working as a research engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, then with the U.S. Air Force, and later at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His work included significant projects such as the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Mars Observer project. Despite his professional focus on high-tech engineering, Johnson continued to pursue personal invention projects that led to the Super Soaker®.

The success of the Super Soaker® exemplifies Johnson's diverse engineering talents and his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible consumer products. His journey from a nuclear engineer to a celebrated toy inventor illustrates his unique ability to bridge the gap between advanced technology and everyday fun. Johnson's inventive spirit has not only brought joy to millions of children around the world but also earned him a place in the National Toy Hall of Fame and over 130 U.S. patents in various fields, including energy technology and aerospace. His legacy is marked by his profound influence on the toy industry and his continued work in energy conversion technologies.

Sources:

Books:

  • Barton, C. (2016). Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-soaking Stream of Inventions. Charlesbridge Publishing.

Websites:

Address

Johns Hopkins University
2800 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

Email

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