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Lonnie Johnson

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description Lonnie Johnson Overview

Lonnie Johnson is an American engineer and inventor who began his career working on stealth technology for the United States Air Force and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is most famous for inventing the Super Soaker, a high-performance pressurized water gun that was originally marketed as the Power Drencher in 1990. Johnson holds over 100 patents across various fields, including solid-state batteries and thermal control systems. His work focuses on energy technology and consumer products.

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What did Lonnie Johnson invent?

Lonnie Johnson is most famous for inventing the Super Soaker, a high-performance pressurized water gun that revolutionized backyard water fights. He also worked extensively on stealth technology for the United States Air Force.

Did Lonnie Johnson work for NASA?

Yes, Lonnie Johnson worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During his time there, he contributed to the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Mars Observer project as a systems engineer.

How did Lonnie Johnson come up with the Super Soaker?

Johnson invented the water gun accidentally while experimenting with environmentally friendly heat pumps in his bathroom. He attached a high-pressure nozzle to a homemade cooling system and realized it could shoot a powerful stream of water across the room.

What other inventions is Lonnie Johnson known for?

Beyond the Super Soaker, Johnson holds over 100 patents and has focused much of his career on green energy. He developed the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter (JTEC), a solid-state heat engine designed to convert solar energy into electricity.