Best known for his invention of the “Super Soaker” water gun, inventor Lonnie Johnson accomplished much more.
After earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Nuclear Engineering from Tuskegee University, Mr. Johnson went on to work for the US Air Force. While employed in Omaha, Nebraska, he earned numerous decorations for his work with the Strategic Air Command. From there he went to work in California for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where he invented a CFC-Free refrigeration system with hydraulic heat pump (his 7th patent).
While working on projects at home, Mr. Johnson invented the Power Drencher (1988 and 1990) water gun – the first of it’s type to use air pressure to propel water up to 30 feet. This “toy” has gone on to sell more than 250 million units for HASBRO – the company that currently markets and sells the product. Lonnie Johnson has gone on to earn more than 40 patents and start his own company that still does work today for NASA and the JPL.
Keep going, Lonnie Johnson! We’re cheering you on.
