Black History Month–Day 10

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In honor of Black History Month, here are few profiles of contributors to history of African descent:

Marc Hannah

Anyone awed by the special effects in the films Jurassic Park, Terminator 2 and The Abyss should thank Hannah. The computer scientist is one of the founders, in 1982, of the software firm Silicon Graphics (now SGI), where the special-effects genius developed 3-D graphics technology that would be used in many Hollywood movies. Donkey Kong fans also owe a debt of gratitude to Hannah: He was instrumental in designing the Nintendo 64 gaming system.

Kenneth J. Dunkley

3-D Viewing Glasses and Holography

Kenneth J. Dunkley is currently the president of the Holospace Laboratories Inc. in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. He is best known for inventing Three Dimensional Viewing Glasses (3-DVG) – his patented invention that displays 3-D effects from regular 2-D photos without any type of lenses, mirrors or optical elements. By studying human vision, Dunkley discovered that blocking two points in a person’s peripheral vision will cause an ordinary picture to appear 3-Dimensional, so he developed his 3-DVG to block out these points.
In addition to his 3-DVG invention, Kenneth Dunkley also receives attention for his efforts as a visual pioneer. In Harrisburg, PA, at the Museum of Scientific Discovery, he has conducted visual effects workshops for four years. Dunkley is also a leader in the field of holography.

Thanks to Tanisha and Bryan Jones and their daughter Sinai for compiling these profiles from the following sources:

1) The Encyclopedia of African-American Heritage, by Susan Altman
2) The Roots website, theroots.com
3) Famous Black Inventors website, black-inventor.com

Solarize Northeast Returns

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Installing solar is affordable and easy! Come learn how and why at a free community introductory workshop:

Sunday, February 12 11AM, Umpqua Bank, 1745 NE Alberta
Thursday, February 16 6PM, NECN, 4815 NE 7th Ave.

Contracts signed by February 29, 2012 receive an early bird discount!

Additional dates are planned for March and April. Visit solarize.necoalition.org/calendar for more information.

Interested neighbors enjoy savings through community-driven, bulk purchase of solar panels. Solarize Northeast hosts workshops to educate residents about solar options, site assessment, installation, and financing options. Sign up for updates and register for the program at our website: solarize.necoalition.org

The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods gives thanks to: Solar Oregon, Mr. Sun Solar, the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and Umpqua Bank.

Black History Month–Day 9

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In honor of Black History Month, here are few profiles of contributors to history of African descent:

Gerald A. Lawson

Anyone who owns a Playstation, Wii or Xbox should know Lawson’s name. He created the first home video game system that used interchangeable cartridges, offering gamers a chance to play a variety of games and giving video game makers a way to earn profits by selling individual games, a business model that exists today. Lawson, who died last year at age 70, is just beginning to be recognized by the gaming industry for his pioneering work. Continue reading →

Black History Month–Day 8

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In honor of Black History Month, here are few profiles of contributors to history of African descent:

Garrett Morgan

(1873-1963), In 1914 a Black inventor named Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask.  It was used by many rescue agencies to save many lives.  Also during World War 1, the gas mask was very important in protecting american solders from poison gas attacks.  He also invented the traffic lights that we use today.

Norbert Rillieux


(1806-1894), Norbert Rillieux was a Black inventor who invented the multiple effect vaccum pan evaporator.  This device improved the quality of sugar.  Rillieux’s work still impacts the sugar industry and the manufacture of soap, glue, condensed milk and other products.  Charles A. Brown, a chemist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, described Rillieux’s invention as “the greatest in the history of American chemical engineering.”  Rillieux also developed a plan for a sewer system for New Orleans that would have greatly improved the health conditions there.  The city government rejected the plan because he was black. Continue reading →