Converting the discoveries of science into products for the international marketplace is a key element in the United States' effort to improve its trade balance. The National Medal of Technology honors the daring people who do that.
President Bush dubbed them "our true pioneers." Commerce Secretary Barbara Hackman Franklin called them "America's technology heroes." Newspapers, business publications, and trade journals across the country have heralded the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of these 75 men and women and three companies.
They are the recipients of our nation's highest honor for technological achievement, the National Medal of Technology. Since the first awards in 1885, the medal has been presented by the President to the nation's top technologists for their success in moving technology from the mind to the marketplace. Their discoveries have kept America on the forefront of technological innovation and their efforts have created millions of jobs, established new industries, saved millions of lives, and improved the way we live and work.
Dr. Robert M. White, Under Secretary for Technology, stated: "Coming over 25 years after the National Medal of Science, the establishment of the National Medal of Technology coincided with an increased understanding of the need to more effectively commercialize technology to improve American industrial competitiveness.
"Technology has traditionally taken a back seat to science in this country," says Assistant Commerce Secretary Deborah L. Wince-Smith, who oversees the technology medal program. "In recent years, however, it has become apparent that we also need to support those daring people who convert scientific findings into commercialized products for the international marketplace."
G. Steve Burrill, a founding board member and key participant in the Foundation's first technology symposium held in conjunction with the 1992 medal award ceremonies, stated that "technology commercialization is a critical factor solving the world's environmental, food/agriculture production, quality of life, and health care problems." Other Foundation board members are C. Gordon Bell, S. A. Duzan, Immunex; Paul E. Frelman, Syntex; Robert W. Galvin, Motorola; Martin S. Gerstel, Alza Corp.; John Mayo, AT&T Bell Labs; Gordon Moore, Intel; David Pall, Pall Corp.; G. Kirk Raab, Genentech; and James L. Vincent, Biogen.
In its brief history, the medal has come to represent a "hall of fame" for technical excellence, recognizing some of the keenest minds in the country. Kenneth Iverson, Bob Galvin, David Packard, Steven Jobs--their names read like a "who's who" of technology superstars. Their many innovations include the digital computer, magnetic recording, the cardiac pacemaker, the integrated circuit, the microprocessor, the RISC chip, the bar code, polyester, and recombinant DNA technology.
These winners carry forward a great American legacy of technological leadership. This year's crop of Technology Medal recipients is no exception. From medicine to information technology, from petroleum to polyester, from communications to pharmaceuticals and quality--this year's winners have made enormous contributions to our daily lives and to our nation's economic competitiveness.
The medal itself symbolizes this spirit of technological wizardry, says Mico Kaufman, the Massachusetts artist who designed the medal. On the right side of the medal is the face of a man with his hand outstretched. A diffuse ray of light strikes the hand and is reflected as a denser, more concentrated beam. "Technology has produced magic in recent years," Kaufman says, explaining that the diffuse light symbolizes the input of data and knowledge, while the dense beam, transformed by the technologist, is "the result, the end product, which is much greater than the input."
The medal also has captured the imagination of several industry leaders. Last year, a private sector Foundation for the National Technology Medal was established under the driving force of Dr. George Rathmann, chief executive officer of ICOS Corporation. In cooperation with the Commerce Department, the foundation's mission is to support the activities of the medal program and to assist in increasing national awareness of the vital role that technology plays in our economy. In the long run, though, perhaps the most important purpose of the National Medal of Technology is to provide role models and inspiration for America's future scientists and technologists.
"We must pique the inquisitive nature and innate curiosity of children and provide a human face to technology role models to be admired, respected, and emulated. Our children must be prepared for the workforce of tomorrow, equipped to understand and use the technological tools available to them," said Secretary Franklin at this year's medal dinner. "Let us hope that we can kindle their imaginations and help guide them to follow their dreams in the footsteps of Edison, Bell, the Wright Brothers, and those we honor with the National Medal of Technology. "
On June 23, President Bush presented the 1992 National Medal of Technology to seven technologists and one company.
* WILLIAM H. GATES III, Microsoft Corporation
For his early vision of universal computing at home and in the office; for his technical and business management skills in creating a worldwide technology company; and for his contribution to the development of the personal computer industry.
* JOSEPH M. JURAN, Juran Institute
For his lifetime work of providing the key principles and methods by which enterprises manage the quality of their products and processes, enhancing their ability to compete in the global marketplace.
* W. LINCOLN HAWKINS, AT&T Bell Labs
For his invention and contribution to the commercialization of long-lived plastic coatings for communications cable that has saved billions of dollars for telephone companies around the world; and for his leadership in encouraging minorities to pursue science and engineering careers.
* CHARLES D. KELMAN
For his innovations in cataract surgical technology resulting in reduced rehabilitation time for millions of Americans, significant cost savings, and the creation of a new industry.
* MERCK 7 CO., INC.
For sustained innovation focusing on the discovery, development, and worldwide commercialization of superior human and animal health products while maintaining proper concern for the environment.
* DELBERT H. MEYER, Amoco Chemical Company
For his discovery of the process for making purified terephthalic acid (PTA), the key building block in the production of polyester, which resulted in greatly accelerated growth of polyester products.
* PAUL B. WEISS, University of Pennsylvania, formerly with Mobil Corporation
For his basic discoveries and management in the field of zeolite catalysis, in conjunction with his colleagues at Mobil Corporation, leading to chemical and petroleum technologies now producing products valued at billions of dollars per year.
* N. JOSEPH WOODLAND, IBM
For his invention and contribution to the commercialization of bar code technology which improved productivity in every industrial sector and gave rise to the bar code industry.
CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE NATIONAL MEDAL OF TECHNOLOGY? Eligibility extends to any U.S. citizen, to as many as four citizens as a group, or to any U.S.-owned company.
HOW ARE THE RECIPIENTS SELECTED? The Secretary of Commerce appoints members of the National Medal of Technology Nomination Evaluation Committee, which reviews nominations. This committee recommends the most outstanding nominees to the Secretary's steering committee. The Secretary then forwards the final recommendation to the President for approval.
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA? Nominations are accepted in two areas:
1. PROMOTION OF TECHNOLOGY
Individuals or companies whose vision, skill, persistence, and/or entrepreneurship has resulted in a competitive advantage for the United States in domestic or foreign markets, in environmental protection improvements, or in health care and safety refinements are eligible. Nominations submitted for the promotion of technology are judged, generally, on the impact of the contribution on the economy, environment, or social well-being of the United States. Nominations for the promotion of technology may be made in any of four categories: technology transfer from public organizations, promotion of advanced manufacturing, technology management, general product and process innovations.
2. PROMOTION OF TECHNOLOGICAL MANPOWER
Nominations are judged on the impact of the contribution towards strengthening a technologically competent workforce.
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MAKING A NOMINATION? Nominations for the 1993 medals are currently being accepted through Oct. 30, 1992. Contact Dr. Paul Braden, Program Manager, Room 4418, Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230, tel. (202) 377-5572.
PAST TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNERS
1991 RCIPIENTS
Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr., Bechtel Group, Inc. C. Gordon Bell, Stardent Computers Geoffrey Boothroyd, University of Rhode Island Peter Dewhurst, University of Rhode Island John Cocke, International Business Machines Corporation Carl Djerassi, Stanford University James J. Duderstadt, University of Michigan Robert W. Galvin, Motorola, Inc. Grace Murray Hopper, U.S. Navy (Ret)., Digital Equipment Corp. F> Kenneth Iverson, Nucor, Inc. Frederick M. Jones, Thermo King, a subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corp. The Pegasus Team, David W. Thompson, Antonio L. Elias, David S. Hollingsworth, Robert R. Lovell, Orbital Sciences Corporation and Hercules, Inc. Charles E. Reed, General Electric Company John Paul Stapp, U.S. Force (Ret.)/SPace Center
1990 RECIPIENTS
John V. Atanasoff, Iowa State University (Retired) Marvin Camras, Illinois Institute of Technology The Du Pony Company, Edgar S. Woolard, Jr., COB and CEO Donald N. Frey, Northwestern University Fred W. Garry, General Electric Corporation Wilson Greatbatch, Wilson Greatbatch, Inc. Jack St. Clair Kilby, Jack Kilby Company John S. Mayo, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Inc. Gordon E. Moore, Intel Corporation David B. Pall, Pall Corporation Chauncy Starr, Electric Power Research Institute
1989 RECIPIENTS
Herbert W. Boyer, University of California in San Fransisco Stanley N. Cohen, Stahford University Medical Center Helen Edwards, Richard A. Lundy, J. Richie Orr, and Alvin Tollestrup, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Robert R. Everitt, The MITRE Corporation Jay W. Forrester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1988 RECIPIENTS
John L. Atwood, Rockwell International Corporation Arnold O. Beckman, Beckman Instruments and Smith Kline Beckman Corporation Paul M. Cook, Raychem Corporation Robert H. Dennard, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center Harold E. Edgerton, EG&G Corporation and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Clarence L. (Kelly) Johnson, Lockheed Corporation Edwin H. Land, Polaroid Corporation and The Rowland Institute for Science David Packard, Hewlett-Packard Company Raymond Damadian, FONAR Corporation Paul C. Lauterbur, University of Illinois
1987 RECIPIENTS
Joseph V. Charyk, Communications Sattelite Corporation W. Edwards Deming, Private Consultant John E. Franz, Monsanto Corporation Robert N. Noyce, Intel Corporation
1986 RECIPIENTS
Bernard Gordon, Analogic Corporation Reynold B. Johnson, International Business Machines Corporation William C. Norris, Control Data Corporation Frank N. Piasecki, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation Stanley D. Stookey, Corning Glass Works Francis Versnyder, United Technologies Corporation
1985 RECIPIENTS
Frederick P. Brookes, Jr., Erich Bloch, and Bob O. Evans, International Business Machines Corporation Steven P. Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, Apple Computer, Inc. Marvin M. Johnson, Phillips Petroleum Company Ralph Landau, Halcon-Scientific Design Group John T. Parsons and Frank L. Stulen, John T. PArsons Company Harold A. Rosen and Allen E. Puckett, Hughes Aircraft Company Joseph F. Sutter, Boeing DCommercial Airplane Company AT&T Bell Laboratories, Inc., Ian M. Ross, President
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