Accomplishments of RPI Graduates

John L. Riddell, 1829
Invented the binocular microscope.

James C. Booth, 1831
Introduced nickel as a metal in U.S. currency.

James Hall, 1832
Was the first New York State geologist; helped found the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Eben Horsford, 1838
Devoted his life to the development of "yeast powder," now known as baking powder.

James H. Salisbury, 1846
Was a nutritionist, "Salisbury Steak" was named for him.

Washington Roebling, 1857
Oversaw construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Devolson Wood, 1857
Helped organize the American Society for Engineering Education and held its first presidency.

Edward P. Rothwell, 1858
Organized the Institute for Mining Engineers.

Alexander Cassatt, 1859
Was the first 20th century President of Pennsylvania Railroad. Brother of Mary Cassatt, Impressionist painter.

Edwin Thacher, 1863
Introduced the most widely used slide rule into the U.S.

Henry A. Rowland, 1870
Was known as the "Father of Spectroscopy" for his pioneering work in the study of magnetic properties.

George Knapp, 1876
Was an industrialist, instrumental in founding the Union Carbide Company.

George W. G. Ferris, 1881
Invented, of course, the Ferris wheel.

Emil Praeger, 1915
Oversaw the renovation of the White House in 1949.

Erik Jonsson, 1922
Co-founded Texas Instruments, who marketed the first pocket calculator.

Milton Brumer, 1923
Led the team that built the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Allen B. DuMont, 1924
Known as the "Father of Television" for his development of the cathode ray tube.

Percy Hill, 1945
Designed and patented the REACH toothbrush.

George M. Low, 1948
Managed the Apollo project that put the first men on the moon and later was President of Rensselaer.

Marcian Hoff, 1958
Was part of the team at Intel of California that produced the first microprocessor.

William C. W. Mow, 1959
Founded Bugle Boy Industries and Dragon International.

Janet Rutledge, 1983
Patented an innovative hearing device based on digital speech processing.

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