Otis Boykin Inventions and Accomplishments

0
15626

Electrical resistors and its technology was transformed due to the inventions of Otis Boykin. He was a creative inventor, living his life during a time when African-Americans were segregated. During this era, electronics were also just beginning. Boykin’s inventions were able to triumph over the obstacles of the time and help the world achieve the technology it has today.

The Life of Otis Boykin

Otis Boykin was born in 1920. After color, his career in science begun. He pursued a graduate education for only two years before dropping out. He went on to work as a laboratory assistant for aircraft controls. In his off time, he invented. Boykin attempted to venture out on his own and own his own business with Hal Fruth as his mentor. However, his business ended in failure. He went on to work for French and American firms as a private consultant, but never stopped inventing. He died in 1982, having created 28 inventions during his life. Of these, only 26 were completed.

Otis Boykin’s Inventions

Majority of Otis Boykin’s inventions dealt with resistors. He made better resistors than those that were currently being used in radios, televisions, and computers. These became some of his first and most notable inventions. He even made a resistor necessary for guided missiles. During his time, Boykin’s resistor invention was not just better than others out there, but considered to be more efficient. Producing resistors during his time were very expensive. Boykin combating this problem by creating a low cost and versatile resistor that attracted many companies to include the military. IBM was one of the first computer companies that were attracted to Boykin’s work.

Success of Technology

The main intent of Boykin’s electrical resistor was to control the flow of electricity circulating in a circuit. Normally, there had to be a specific amount of resistance, hence its name of resistors. Boykin’s inventions were able to withstand and survive tremendous shock, sudden temperature change, and electrical accelerations without breaking up. It was less expensive to product and more reliable. Variable resistors were also created leading to those similarly found in pacemakers.

What is a pacemaker? A pacemaker is a device that is using electrical impulses to control a heartbeat. It prompts the heart if the beat is too slow or too fast. It is made up of a small computer powered by a lithium battery. Well, through the efforts of several scientists, the pacemaker has come into being. Another famous invention made by Boykin was the improved pacemaker control unit.

Every three years, the computer is changed and so the lithium battery. Many people were very thankful for this wonderful invention. It has saved lives and allowed individuals to live fully. Boykin’s invention have affected the lives of many positively, especially for those people who were saved by the improved pacemaker. Despite personal hardships Otis Boykin managed to overcome his obstacles in life and provide the new generation with a very important mark in the modern technology.

History of Electronics
Shares