Ceramic Mug 15oz (Lonnie George Johnson)

Lonnie George Johnson, born on October 6, 1949, is an American inventor, aerospace engineer, and entrepreneur1. He is best known for inventing the bestselling Super Soaker water gun in 19891.

Johnson was born in Mobile, Alabama1. His mother, who finished high school, worked as a nurse’s aide and his father, who didn’t finish high school, was a World War II veteran1. His father explained the basic principles of electricity to Johnson at an early age1. Johnson earned the nickname “the Professor” from kids in the neighborhood due to his interest in tinkering with things1.

He attended Tuskegee University, obtaining a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1973 and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering in 19751. He also holds an honorary Ph.D. in Science from Tuskegee University1.

Johnson was formerly employed at the U.S. Air Force and NASA, where he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory1. During his time at NASA (1979–1991), Johnson worked on a variety of projects, including the Air Force missions Lab, developing the nuclear power source for the Galileo mission to Jupiter1, several weapons-related projects, as well as an engineer on the Mariner Mark ll Spacecraft series for the Comet Rendezvous and Saturn Orbiter Probe missions1. He also worked on the stealth bomber program1.

In 1991, Johnson founded his own company, Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc., of which he is also the president1. 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 affordable1. As of 2022, Johnson 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, Georgia1.

Johnson’s story is a testament to determination, skill, and the power of invention as a tool for intellectual development1.