Who Invented the Resistor?

Otis Boykin – Inventor of the Resistor

Many times we simply use our computer and computerized devices with no thought about all the intricate parts that goes into it operation. We do not think about the fan that keeps it cool so it does not overheat and shut off or malfunction. And we do not think about small parts like resistors which help control the amount of electricity that allowed to flow through the device. Over the years, many inventors such as Otis Boykin have contributed to all the components that make up the computers we so heavily rely on each day.

Born: August of 1920 in Dallas,Texas.

Boykin’s father was a carpenter who later left the profession to become a minister and his mother was a homemaker. He attended Booker T. Washington High School located in Dallas, Texas where he was the class valedictorian.

University: Fisk College Year Graduated: 1941

Upon graduating from Fisk, he went to work with the Majestic Radio and TV Corporation where he was a lab assistant.

Later on he worked at P. J. Nilsen Research Laboratories as a research engineer testing automatic controls used in aircraft; but was attempting to start his own business on the side, Boykin-Fruth Incorporated. Dr. Hal Fruth discovered the genius of Otis Boykin and they began to collaborate on several different research projects. He also began working on graduate studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

June of 1959 - Boykin patented his first wire precision resistor which regulated the amount of electricity that could flow to another component.

Otis F. Boykin invented the electrical resistor and patented it on Feb. 21, 1961. He invented a total of 28 electronic devices with commercial as well as military applications. Among them are the pacemaker and control devices for guided missiles. 

Patent:U.S. 2,972,726 Invention: Electrical Resistor on Feb. 21, 1961

Other Inventions

Otis Boykin continued to invent throughout his lifetime and he also worked as a consultant to different firms in Europe and America. He ended up earning 11 patents and inventing 28 different types of electronic devices. His fame as an inventor soared with the creation of the versatile and affordable resistor as well as the control unit used in the pacemaker; but he also invented a chemical air filter and a burglar proof cash register which were never patented. Over the years Boykin invented several products and developed ways for them to be constructed efficiently. Among his other inventions are a thin film capacitor, electrical resistance elements, resistance capacitor, and a self-supporting electrical resistor.

RESISTOR   - is a passive component that resists the flow of current.

References:

http://www.netlz.com/seo-blog/2013/04/10/otis-boykin-inventor-of-the-resistor/

https://webfiles.uci.edu/mcbrown/display/boykin_patents.html