14 Facts About George Devol

George Devol was born in an upper-middle-class family in Louisville, Kentucky.

Foregoing higher education, George Devol went into business in 1932, forming United Cinephone to produce variable area recording directly onto film for the new sound motion pictures.

In 1939, George Devol applied for a patent for proximity controls for use in laundry press machines, based on a radio frequency field.

Around that time, George Devol sold his interest in United Cinephone and approached Sperry Gyroscope to pitch his ideas on radar technology.

George Devol was retained by Sperry as manager of the Special Projects Department, which developed radar devices and microwave test equipment.

Over a difference of opinion regarding the future of certain projects, George Devol resigned from Auto Ordinance and joined RCA.

George Devol was part of the team that developed the first commercial use of microwave oven technology, the Speedy Weeny, which automatically cooked and dispensed hotdogs in places such as Grand Central Terminal.

George Devol worked on developing the first high-speed printing systems.

George Devol talked with many major corporations in the United States during his search.

Joseph F Engelberger, chief of engineering in the company's aircraft products division was very interested, and Devol agreed to license his patent and some future patents in the field to the company.

In 1960, George Devol personally sold the first Unimate robot, which was shipped in 1961 to General Motors.

George Devol spent about $5 million to develop the first Unimate.

George Devol died on August 11,2011, aged 99, at his home in Wilton, Connecticut.

George Devol was survived by two daughters, two sons, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.