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Charles K. Kao

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Scientist

The Resume

    (November 4, 1933-September 23, 2018)
    Born in Shanghai, China
    Electrical engineer
    Proposed that high-purity glass fibers could carry a gigahertz of information over long distances using lasers (1966)
    Known as 'the father of fiber optics'
    Held over 30 patents
    Co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics (2009)
    Knighted (2010)

Why he might be annoying:

    His childhood experiments with chemistry at home ended after an explosion that splashed concentrated nitric acid on his younger brother's trousers, burning away the cloth and prompting his parents to confiscate his chemicals.
    He was initially unable to interest Bell Labs in fiber optics.
    Asia Week wrote, 'If you are suffering from information overload and are looking for someone to blame, Charles K. Kao is the man.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    When he was fifteen, his family left Shanghai for Hong Kong as the Communists came to power in China.
    He became a lifelong fan of fish and chips while attending college in London.
    He was married to Gwen May-Wan Kao for 59 years.
    William Wolf, President of the National Academy of Engineering, wrote, 'Communication as we know it today, including the internet, would not exist without fiber optics.'
    He was one of Asia Week's five finalists for 'Asian of the Century,' representing the category 'science and technology.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying