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Oscar BankerAmerican inventor of Armenian descent
Date of Birth: 01.01.1895
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Content:
- Early Life and Background
- Immigration and Early Inventions
- The Breakthrough: Automatic Transmission
- Contributions to Aviation
- Medical Advancements: Bezinga Injector
- Recognition and Legacy
Early Life and Background
Asatour Sarafian, an Armenian American inventor, was born in 1895 in the Ottoman Empire during a turbulent period. His family managed to survive the Hamidian Massacres, but young Asatour contracted a deadly illness. His father's ingenuity, using a goat's udder to feed him grape juice, saved his life.
Immigration and Early Inventions
Emigrating to the United States, Sarafian changed his name to Oscar Banker and settled in Chicago. While working in a machine shop, he invented a saw filing machine, which sparked his passion for inventing.
The Breakthrough: Automatic Transmission
Recognizing the flaws in General Motors' semi-automatic transmission, Banker proposed an automatic version. After years of perseverance, GM adopted his design, revolutionizing the automotive industry. This invention would later inspire Ralph Nader's advocacy for consumer safety.
Contributions to Aviation
Banker's influence extended to aviation. He collaborated on the control system for Igor Sikorsky's experimental helicopter, leading to the mass production of helicopters during World War II.
Medical Advancements: Bezinga Injector
Inspired by a television broadcast, Banker invented the bezinga injector, a pneumatic syringe pistol. This device revolutionized vaccinations, with the medical company Med-E-Jet producing thousands per hour. Banker's injector played a crucial role in combating epidemics around the world.
Recognition and Legacy
In 1979, Grenada issued a postage stamp in Banker's honor, recognizing his lifesaving invention. He published his memoirs, "Dreams and Wars of an American Inventor: An Immigrant's Romance," in 1983. Oscar Banker passed away in 1979, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a prolific inventor who made an enduring impact on countless lives.
