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Year:1959​

Who: Otis Boykin (1920-1982)​

Where: Chicago, Illinois​

What: Otis Boykin was born on August 29, 1920, in Dallas, Texas. His early academic prowess led him to Fisk University, and he later transferred to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Although financial difficulties prevented him from completing his degree, Boykin's foundational education and early experiences in various electronic manufacturing firms shaped his future contributions to electronic engineering.

Boykin’s significant contributions to electronic circuitry began with his invention of the wire precision resistor in 1959. This resistor improved the performance and reliability of electronic products, including televisions and radios, by allowing precise control over the electrical current. His improved version in 1961 was able to withstand extreme temperature and pressure changes, making it invaluable to military and aerospace technology.

In 1964, Boykin developed a control unit for pacemakers that utilized his resistor technology to ensure more reliable heart rate regulation, demonstrating his impact on both consumer electronics and critical medical devices. His advancements allowed for the miniaturization and enhanced functionality of many electronic devices. Throughout his career, Otis Boykin patented a total of 28 devices. His most famous patent, the wire precision resistor, was patented in 1961 under U.S. Patent No. 2,972,726. This and other inventions underscore his creative prowess and ability to improve existing technologies in significant ways

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

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