Dr. Marcian E. “Ted” Hoff, Jr. (Class of 1958), and Steven Sasson (Class of 1972)

Two Rensselaer alumni have become the ninth and 10th graduates to earn national medals. Steven Sasson, ’72, and Dr. Marcian E. “Ted” Hoff, Jr., ’58, were each selected to receive a National Medal of Technology and Innovation. According to an announcement from the White House and the Department of Commerce earlier this week, they will receive their medals at a White House ceremony later this year. The same announcement summarized their accomplishments:

• Steven Sasson (Class of 1972) for the invention of the digital camera, which has revolutionized the way images are captured, stored and shared, thereby creating new opportunities for commerce, education and improved worldwide communication. In 1974, Sasson was asked to investigate the imaging properties of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) to create an image sensor for a film-free camera.  The result of Sasson’s work was a device that weighed 8.6 lbs. and was the size of a small toaster. Today, digital cameras are all around us, many as close as our mobile phones. In 2008, 73 percent of Americans owned a digital camera and 34 million digital cameras were sold in the United States, generating $7 billion in revenue.

• Dr. Marcian E. “Ted” Hoff, Jr. (Class of 1958), Stanley Mazor and Federico Faggin for the conception, design, development and application of the first microcomputer. The subsequent commercial acceptance of this universal building block enabled a multitude of novel digital electronic systems.  For example, traffic lights controlled by microcomputers provide smart and inexpensive traffic flow.  Microwave ovens, dishwashers and countless small appliances and electronics contain microcomputers that control and provide a usable human interface. Today’s automobile uses several microcomputers to give us smart brakes, better engine ignition and automatic systems for speed control and navigation (GPS).
  

Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson said, “On behalf of the entire Rensselaer community, we extend our congratulations to Steven Sasson, Class of 1972, and Dr. Marcian E. “Ted” Hoff, Jr., Class of 1958, on the occasion of their receiving the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. They become the ninth and tenth Rensselaer graduates to receive National Medals. The achievements of Rensselaer alumni and alumnae through the years have had important and far-reaching effects. From the bridge builders of the 19th century to the engineers of space exploration, from the inventors of the Industrial Revolution to the entrepreneurs of today’s computer technology, Rensselaer graduates have helped to shape our world.”

The White House and Department of Commerce announcement is at: http://www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2010/irl_2010oct15.jsp