IconsLonnie Johnson: Meet The Brilliant Mind Behind the Super Soaker
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Lonnie Johnson created the “Super Soaker” and “Nerf Gun” and was awarded $72.9M In Hasbro Settlement for unpaid royalties. But who is this iconic figure? Read on quickly to find out!Lonnie Johnson is an American inventor and engineer known for his significant contributions to the fields of aerospace and thermodynamics. He was born on October 6, 1949, in Mobile, Alabama, USA. Johnson's most famous invention is the Super Soaker. You probably already know what it is: a high-powered water gun that has become a popular recreational toy since its introduction in the early 1990s.Twitter
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Education & Early careerAs a teenager, Johnson attended Williamson High School, an all-black school in Mobile. He drew much of his inspiration from George Washington Carver, an American agricultural scientist and inventor who promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion.
In 1968, he represented his high school at a science fair in Alabama, where he was the only black student attending the fair. It was a time when African Americans had very little presence in science. There, he presented a robot he created, which he named "Linex," taking home the first-place prize. The robot was powered by compressed air.
In 1969, shortly after graduating from high school, he attended Tuskegee University, obtaining a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1973 and a master's degree in nuclear engineering in 1975. He also holds an honorary Ph.D. in Science from Tuskegee University. He then worked for the U.S. Air Force, where he worked on the stealth bomber program, before eventually joining NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1979.
In 1968, he represented his high school at a science fair in Alabama, where he was the only black student attending the fair. It was a time when African Americans had very little presence in science. There, he presented a robot he created, which he named "Linex," taking home the first-place prize. The robot was powered by compressed air.
In 1969, shortly after graduating from high school, he attended Tuskegee University, obtaining a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1973 and a master's degree in nuclear engineering in 1975. He also holds an honorary Ph.D. in Science from Tuskegee University. He then worked for the U.S. Air Force, where he worked on the stealth bomber program, before eventually joining NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1979.
Lonnie Johnson's work for NASADuring his time at NASA (1979-1991), he worked on a variety of projects, including the Air Force missions Lab, developing the nuclear power source for the Galileo mission to Jupiter, several weapons-related projects, as well as an engineer on the Mariner Mark ll Spacecraft series for the Comet Rendezvous and Saturn Orbiter Probe missions. He also worked on the stealth bomber program.
Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc.In 1991, he founded his own company, Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc., of which he is also the president. More recently, he teamed up with scientists from both Tulane University and Tuskegee University to develop a method of transforming heat into electricity to make green energy more affordable.
As of 2022, he has three technology-development companies, Excellatron Solid State, LLC, Johnson Energy Storage, and Johnson Electro-Mechanical Systems (JEMS), operating in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. JEMS has developed the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System (JTEC) which Popular Mechanics listed as one of the top 10 inventions of 2009. Johnson Energy Storage has developed a solid-state battery and as of early 2023 is raising funds to develop a demonstration manufacturing line.
Lonnie Johnson is a "part of a small group of African-American inventors whose work accounts for 6 percent of all U.S. patent applications".
As of 2022, he has three technology-development companies, Excellatron Solid State, LLC, Johnson Energy Storage, and Johnson Electro-Mechanical Systems (JEMS), operating in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. JEMS has developed the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System (JTEC) which Popular Mechanics listed as one of the top 10 inventions of 2009. Johnson Energy Storage has developed a solid-state battery and as of early 2023 is raising funds to develop a demonstration manufacturing line.
Lonnie Johnson is a "part of a small group of African-American inventors whose work accounts for 6 percent of all U.S. patent applications".
His Super Soaker InventionLonnie Johnson first conceived the Super Soaker while doing work with the U.S. Air Force. Initially called the "Power Drencher" when it first appeared in toy shops in 1990, it eventually got its trademark name after some tweaks and remarketing. Selling between $10 and $60 depending on the model, the Super Soaker took off, generating $200 million in sales in 1991. Shortly after making the deal for the Super Soaker with the Larami Corporation, Larami became a subsidiary of Hasbro Inc. in February 1995.
He tweaked the design of the water gun, replacing the water in the Super Soaker with a "toy (Nerf) projectile."
In February 2013 he filed suit against Hasbro after he discovered that he was being underpaid royalties for the Super Soaker and several Nerf line of toys. In November 2013, Johnson was awarded nearly $73 million in royalties from Hasbro Inc. in arbitration. According to Hasbro, the Super Soaker is approaching sales of $1 billion.
He tweaked the design of the water gun, replacing the water in the Super Soaker with a "toy (Nerf) projectile."
In February 2013 he filed suit against Hasbro after he discovered that he was being underpaid royalties for the Super Soaker and several Nerf line of toys. In November 2013, Johnson was awarded nearly $73 million in royalties from Hasbro Inc. in arbitration. According to Hasbro, the Super Soaker is approaching sales of $1 billion.
More than 250 patentsIn addition to the Super Soaker, he holds more than 250 patents, most of which are for his Super Soaker, including innovations related to thermodynamics, energy conversion, and power generation. He has also developed technologies for heat pumps and the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter System, which has the potential for efficient energy conversion.
Awards and recognitionHe has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science and engineering. These include the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
He received several awards from NASA for his work in spacecraft system design at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 2008, he was awarded the Breakthrough Award from science magazine Popular Mechanics for his work related to JTEC and was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2015, the Super Soaker was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. In 2022, Johnson was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
He received several awards from NASA for his work in spacecraft system design at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 2008, he was awarded the Breakthrough Award from science magazine Popular Mechanics for his work related to JTEC and was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2015, the Super Soaker was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame. In 2022, Johnson was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Philanthropy and educationJohnson is actively involved in educational initiatives and has supported programs aimed at inspiring and mentoring young inventors and engineers, especially those from underrepresented communities.
Why is he an icon?Lonnie Johnson's work as an inventor and engineer has had a significant impact on various fields, and his creation of the Super Soaker has left a lasting mark on popular culture. He continues to be an influential figure in the world of science and technology.