Black History Spotlight: Day #16
Contribution: Scientist who invented a way to remove smoke and fog.
Age: 69 (1929 - 1998)
Mini Bio:
Meredith Gourdine was a physicist and engineer who pioneered research about something called electrogasdynamics, or EGD. Meredith discovered that electricity can be used to help control both smoke and fog. The system he invented removes smoke from buildings after a fire and makes the air safe for people again. Meredith’s methods also helped make airports safer by clearing fog from runways. Applying the principles of EGD, Meredith also discovered ways to remove the salt from sea water and reduce pollutants in smoke. At the time of his death in 1998, he held more than 30 patents.
- Meredith grew up in Brooklyn in New York City.
- He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy before he earned his Ph.D.
- Meredith was also a star athlete. When he was in college at Cornell University, he earned the nickname “Flash” as a track champion.
- He won a silver medal in the long jump in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.
Further Reading:
Comments
0 comment