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Birth of William A. Higinbotham
Born in Bridgeport Connecticut to Reverend Robert G. and Dorothea Higinbotham. -
Interest in Science
In 1924 William A. Higinbotham begins his lifelong interest in the field of science and technology at the age of 14 when he constructs and dismantles radios. -
Graduated College
He graduated from Williams College in 1928 with a degree in Physics. -
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Graduate Studies
Cornell University pursued higher education in Physics. -
Cornell Graduation
William A. Higinbotham Graduates from Cornell after 8 years of studying physics at the graduate level. -
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MIT Radiation Laboratory
Higinbotham helps design the circuitry of radar technology for high altitude systems. -
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Helps develop and design the components of the first atomic bomb for the Manhattan Project. According to Higinbotham he "built triggered sweeps for the oscilloscopes, fast amplifiers, and low capacity probes. I also invented diode-steering for reliable triggering of bitable circuits"(Nyitray). -
Creates the Federation of American Scientists.
Higinbotham creates Federation of American Scientists to address the issues association with atomic bombs and their impacts on Mankind. -
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Higinbotham begins working at Brookhaven as the Department of Physics associate division chief. At Brookhaven he worked on safeguards for instruments related to the fields of medicine, physics, and biology. -
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Higinbotham becomes the associate divisions chief of the Physics Department. -
Marriage
William A. Higinbotham marries Julie Ann Burritt in Bellport, New York. -
Appointment to Head of Department
Higinbotham is appointed the head of the Instrumentation and Health
Physics Department at Brookhaven, this division created electronic equipment that was used in the lab's particle accelerators, and they also conducted important research on digital computers. -
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Head of Department at Brookhaven
Head of Instrumentation and Health Physics Department -
Tennis for Two
Higinbotham and his team design one of the first computer games for Visitors day at the Lab. A game in which two players hit a bouncing ball back and forth, hence being named Tennis for Two. Using circuitry knowledge from his positions at other labs and his knowledge of Physics, he was able to bring the idea to life. -
Tennis for Two
Higinbothams greatest contribution to hacking and the computer game industry is dismantled, due to the belief that nobody was interested in playing it. -
Nuclear Safeguards
Higinbotham and colleagues advocate for nuclear safeguards to the Atomic Energy Commission. Lobbying was successful and as a result Technical Support Organization was formed -
Retirement
Higinbotham retires from Brookhaven after 17 years as Department head. -
Death
Died in Gainesville, Georgia at the age of 84.
