Timeline

1903

Born in Fremont, USA

1925

Received B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA

1926

During his graduate studies at MIT, he used strobe light to study whirling rotor engines

1927

Received M.S. in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA; became MIT faculty member

1931

Developed the stroboscope

Received D.Sc. in electrical engineering from MIT

1938

Perfected multiflash photography of athletes in action; the same year he unsuccessfully tried to sell the concept of electronic flash to U.S. camera manufacturers

Commissioned by the U.S. Army Air Force to design strobe lamp powerful enough to be used for aerial photography at night

1939

His first book, entitled "Flash! Seeing the Unseen by Ultra High Speed Photography" was published

1940

Won Academy Award for his short film "Quicker Than a Wink"

1975

Became emeritus chairman of the board at MIT

1990

Died in Cambridge, USA