158 pointsby NaOH8 months ago7 comments
  • NaOH8 months ago
    Williard Boyle was the other co-inventor. His passing in 2011 was linked here but did not elicit any discussion.

    Nobel Prize winner Willard Boyle, inventor of CCD, dies. - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2566440 - May 2011

    • nullhole8 months ago
      Some years ago I tried to get a crater on the Moon (or alternatively Mars) named after Willard Boyle. His (and Smith's) contribution to the practice of astronomy should be unquestionable.

      The naming wasn't possible at the time because there is already a crater on the Moon named Boyle (after the British natural philosopher and chemist Robert Boyle, 1627-1691), and duplicate names aren't allowed. Use of the first name ('Willard') wasn't suggested at the time.

      It may be time to re-submit the request, but for the name "Boyle-Smith", if combined names are allowed.

      [0] https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories "The Moon : Craters: Scientists, engineers, and explorers, as well as other persons connected with astronomy, planetary, or space research who have made outstanding or fundamental contributions to their field. ... First names are used for small craters of special interest. "

      • thelittleone8 months ago
        Wow... name collision avoidance is applied across the solar system.

        Respect for taking the time to apply for his recognition.

      • closewith8 months ago
        The British natural philosopher and chemist?
  • Findecanor8 months ago
    I had attended his 1999 Nobel Prize Lecture on the invention of the CCD. The video is available.

    https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2009/smith/lecture...

  • neonate8 months ago
    He was 79 when the photo in the article was taken? That's incredible.
    • hobs8 months ago
      My dad is almost that old and looks younger and healthier than him for sure, it all depends on how you live your life and the genetics you are granted.
    • selcuka8 months ago
      He probably didn't, but he could have fine-tuned the CCD sensor of the camera.
    • rvnx8 months ago
      Great looking for sure, probably genetics.
  • 8 months ago
    undefined
  • dang8 months ago