Lonnie G. Johnson

1949 · Birth year

What Lonnie contributed

Invented a high-powered water toy while working on an experimental heat-pump system.

The story

Johnson is a nuclear engineer and former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer. He holds numerous patents covering toys and advanced energy-conversion technology.

Why it matters

The Super Soaker became one of the most successful toys of its era, while Johnson continued research in energy systems.

Patent record
U.S. Patent 4,591,071 and others