James Fergason
Encyclopedia
James L. Fergason was an inventor of an improved Liquid Crystal Display
, or LCD.
Fergason graduated from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Missouri. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree
in physics
from the University of Missouri
in 1956, and after a brief time in the Army, stationed in Texas, Fergason began his work on the practical uses of liquid crystal
s at the Westinghouse Research Laboratories in Pennsylvania
, earning his first patent
in 1963.
In June of 1966, Fergason joined the Liquid Crystal Institute
at Kent State University
as its associate director. Here, in 1969, he made his seminal discovery of a low-power, field-operated LC display, known as the twisted nematic cell. Also at LCI, Fergason was part of an effort to use cholesteric liquid crystals for thermal mapping, in particular, to screen for breast cancer
. He participated in the discovery of smectic C liquid crystal phase.
Twisted nematic liquid crystal displays were superior to the earlier dynamic scattering displays, and soon became widespread. The technology was patented in the United States by Fergason in 1971. Fergason formed his own company, ILIXCO, in 1968 to manufacture liquid crystal displays. His first customers were the Bulova Watch Company and Gruen Watch Company which used the technology to market the first LCD watches using this technology. By the end of the decade, most of the world's digital watches used this kind of LCD display.
Fergason held over 150 patents in the United States and over 500 foreign patents. He also was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
. In 2001 was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Missouri
, in 2006 he was the recipient of the distinguished Lemelson-MIT Prize
, in 2007 he was awarded David Richardson Medal by the OSA
and in 2008 he received the Jun-Ichi Nishizawa Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
. In 2001, he founded Fergason Patent Properties, which managed licensing of his patents.
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
, or LCD.
Fergason graduated from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Missouri. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1956, and after a brief time in the Army, stationed in Texas, Fergason began his work on the practical uses of liquid crystal
Liquid crystal
Liquid crystals are a state of matter that have properties between those of a conventional liquid and those of a solid crystal. For instance, an LC may flow like a liquid, but its molecules may be oriented in a crystal-like way. There are many different types of LC phases, which can be...
s at the Westinghouse Research Laboratories in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, earning his first patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
in 1963.
In June of 1966, Fergason joined the Liquid Crystal Institute
Liquid Crystal Institute
The Glenn H. Brown Liquid Crystal Institute at Kent State University is a center of study for liquid crystal technology and education, blending basic and applied research on liquid crystals...
at Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
as its associate director. Here, in 1969, he made his seminal discovery of a low-power, field-operated LC display, known as the twisted nematic cell. Also at LCI, Fergason was part of an effort to use cholesteric liquid crystals for thermal mapping, in particular, to screen for breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. He participated in the discovery of smectic C liquid crystal phase.
Twisted nematic liquid crystal displays were superior to the earlier dynamic scattering displays, and soon became widespread. The technology was patented in the United States by Fergason in 1971. Fergason formed his own company, ILIXCO, in 1968 to manufacture liquid crystal displays. His first customers were the Bulova Watch Company and Gruen Watch Company which used the technology to market the first LCD watches using this technology. By the end of the decade, most of the world's digital watches used this kind of LCD display.
Fergason held over 150 patents in the United States and over 500 foreign patents. He also was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
. In 2001 was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, in 2006 he was the recipient of the distinguished Lemelson-MIT Prize
Lemelson-MIT Prize
The Lemelson Foundation awards several prizes yearly to inventors in United States. The largest is the Lemelson-MIT Prize which was endowed in 1994 by Jerome H. Lemelson, and is administered through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology...
, in 2007 he was awarded David Richardson Medal by the OSA
Optical Society of America
The Optical Society is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the study of light—optics and photonics—in theory and application, by means of publishing, organizing conferences and exhibitions, partnership with industry, and education. The organization has members in more than 100 countries...
and in 2008 he received the Jun-Ichi Nishizawa Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...
. In 2001, he founded Fergason Patent Properties, which managed licensing of his patents.
Sources
- James Fergason (National Inventors Hall of Fame)
- Liquid Crystal Display - James Fergason (About.com Inventors)
- James Fergason invented an improved liquid display (Lemelson Center, Smithsonian Institution)
- James Fergason: Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) (Lemelson-MIT Program)
- Dr. James Fergason Full Biography (Fergason Patent Properties LLC.)
- James Fergason (Lemelson-MIT Prize)
- Father of LCD Honoured (IEEE Award)
- Dr. James L. Fergason Obituary (San Jose Mercury News)