Lonnie Johnson, the man behind the Super Soaker water gun, is a fascinating man. He worked as an engineer for the Air Force and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. But he also pursued his own inventions.His efforts resulted in a cooling system for refrigerators and an environmentally friendly heat pump that used water rather than Freon. But his biggest success was the Super Soaker.
Super Soaker: Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson is a former Air Force officer and NASA engineer, but his most famous invention is the Super Soaker water gun. He developed the device as a research tool while working on an alternative cooling unit for refrigerators and air conditioners. The device was originally a prototype he called the Power Drencher, but after some tweaks and rebranding he sold it to the Larami Corporation for production in 1990. The toy, now referred to as the Super Soaker, quickly became a top-selling item and is now an iconic symbol of summertime fun.
Lonnie Johnson continues to develop his own engineering projects, including a new type of battery and an engine seen as one of the first stages to low-cost solar power. He is an inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards for his work.
Johnson was born in Mobile, Alabama, on October 6, 1949, and grew up interested in science and inventing. He developed his first toy, a robot named Linex, for a school science fair and won a state competition. Inspired by inventor George Washington Carver, he turned his early interest into a career. He currently holds dozens of patents and owns multiple businesses that include development of new energy technology. He also serves on the board of the Georgia Alliance for Children and is a member of Alabama’s Engineering Hall of Fame.
Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter
Lonnie Johnson children’s names
Lonnie Johnson grew up in segregated Mobile, Alabama and went to all-black schools from elementary school through high school. He also attended Tuskegee University. Johnson loved to build small inventions. At age 13, he attached a lawnmower engine to a go-kart he built from junkyard scraps and raced it down the highway until the police pulled him over. His father encouraged his creativity and taught him basic mechanical engineering.
After graduating from Tuskegee, Lonnie Johnson worked for the Air Force and NASA before founding several companies to develop energy technology. He is best known for the Super Soaker water gun, which became a best-selling toy after its release in 1989 and has earned him more than $1 billion in sales. Johnson’s latest invention is the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter, which converts solar rays into electricity more efficiently than current technology.
Lonnie Johnson has many patents for his creations and has founded companies to pursue advanced research projects in energy technology. Johnson Battery Technology and Excellatron Corporation are two of his spin-offs, which are researching new types of batteries and energy storage. He is also working on a new method of converting heat into electricity that could make green power more affordable. His company, Johnson Electro-Mechanical Systems, is based in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta. His inventions have earned him more than $360 million in the last 30 years.
Johnson Space Center
Lonnie Johnson is an aerospace engineer whose lifelong passion for rockets, robots and inventions has led to a long career with the Air Force and NASA. He invented the Super Soaker children’s water gun and worked as an engineer on spacecraft that have been sent to Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. Now, he owns several companies that create technology for everything from toys to spacecraft to green energy.
Lonnie Johnson’s curiosity and love of inventing began as a child when he tinkered with his family’s kitchen appliances to see how they worked. He would even cook up rocket fuel on the stove to learn how it burned. Later, he built an award-winning robot during his high school years and entered it in the Junior Engineering Technical Society fair – the only entry from his all-black school.
After graduating from Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, Lonnie Johnson attended Tuskegee University on a scholarship, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and became an important member of the government scientific establishment. He worked on the Air Force’s B-52 stealth bomber and later was an engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Johnson has over 100 patents and has created a number of successful ventures. He has also established several educational programs that introduce students from diverse backgrounds to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) topics.
Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Lonnie Johnson grew up in Gary, Indiana. The city was once a bustling steel center, but now it has a high crime rate and a high number of shooting deaths. Despite the adversity, Johnson has been able to achieve success through his hard work and perseverance. He has a tattoo on his left forearm that reads “Scary Gary,” which serves as a reminder of his humble beginnings.
From a young age, Lonnie Johnson was interested in science and inventions. He built a robot that he named Linex in high school and entered it in a state science fair. The experience gave him the confidence and motivation to continue to pursue his passion for science.
In addition to pursuing his interest in science, Lonnie Johnson has also found a way to give back to his community. He has set up a foundation that supports youth development and sports programs. He has also volunteered at local events with the Houston Texans.
Considering the adversity that Johnson has faced in his life, it’s no wonder that he is so determined to make the most of his opportunities. His story is a great example for kids of all ages. It will inspire them to push past adversity and pursue their dreams. Lonnie’s story will inspire kids to think outside of the box and be creative.