Post by Global Vision Group International

#MotivationMonday “Life just happens, and when it does, how you handle it will teach you more about who you are than any class or test ever can.” - Valerie L. Thomas Valerie L. Thomas was born in 1943 in Maryland. Thomas is an African American scientist and inventor best known for patented illusion transmitters and contributions to NASA research. From a young age she was not encouraged to study science. After she graduated from high school, she was finally able to explore her interests at Morgan State University, being one of the only two women studying physics. After she graduated, she went on to work for Nasa from 1964 to 1995 starting as a data analyst and ending as Associate Chief of NASA's Space Science Data Operations Office, Manager of the NASA Automated Systems Incident Response Capability, and as Chair of the Space Science Data Operations Office Education Committee. In 1976, she attended an exhibition that included an illusion of a light bulb that was lit, even though it had been removed from its socket. Thomas was curious about how light and concave mirrors could be used in her work with NASA. Thomas began her research in 1977, which led her to invent the illusion transmitter. The device produces optical illusion images via two concave mirrors. Concave mirrors create images that appear to be real, or in front of the mirror itself. Thomas obtained a patent for her invention in October 1980, a device that has been adopted by NASA, surgery, and the production of TV and video screens. #valeriethomas #scientist #NASA #inventor #bhm