Auto Engineer Captures Prize Honoring Inventors New Award Is Intended To Encourage Nation’s Young Scientists, Inventors

Announcement of the Lemelson-MIT Prize was reminiscent of the Academy Awards - from the bigscreen video, bright lights and TV cameras to the winner’s “thank you’s” to family and co-workers.

But it took less than an hour to honor engineer William J. Bolander and to announce a separate, noncash, “lifetime achievement” award to William R. Hewlett and David Packard, founders of the HewlettPackard Company.

Jerome H. Lemelson, an independent inventor, founded what he hopes will become an annual award in hopes of inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and innovation, although the award is not limited to any age group.

Many young people know about rock stars and athletes but not about inventors, said Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Lester C. Thurow, who is coordinating the program for Lemelson.

“Part of the purpose is to bang the drums and say you can have an exciting, profitable, good life as an inventor and innovator,” Thurow said.

“The most important investment we can make is in people … to generate brainpower,” Lemelson added at ceremonies at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

Lemelson said he also wants to encourage people to apply what they have learned to products and processes. Hence, the award for Hewlett and Packard, developers of scientific calculators, computer printers and many other products produced by their company.

“It’s important not just to have ideas, but to develop them into useful products,” agreed Bolander, whose developments include the traction control system used in Saturn cars and the advance that allows Cadillac engines to continue operating even after they lose coolant.

“This is the equivalent of the Academy Awards,” Thurow commented, adding, “This is much nicer.”

Indeed, in addition to $500,000, Bolander received a lead crystal award with an inset hologram combining 2,700 images of the award logo. The crystal has built-in lighting - which was carefully noted to be produced by Hewlett-Packard.

Bolander, 34, said he has no specific plans for the money yet, though he noted that he will be leaving some of it in Washington. The Internal Revenue Service is conveniently located across the street from the museum where the ceremony was held.

Lemelson has funded the award for three more years and Thurow said, “If it works, we will make it permanent.”

Developing an interest in science and invention is essential, he said: “It isn’t Yankee tinkering anymore, you’ve got to know.”