Paul MacCready

About Paul MacCready

Paul B. MacCready, Jr. (September 29, 1925 – August 28, 2007) was an American aeronautical engineer. He was the founder of AeroVironment and the designer of the human-powered aircraft that won the first Kremer prize. He devoted his life to developing more efficient transportation vehicles that could "Do more with less".

Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy:

He started gliding after World War II and was a three-time winner (1948, 1949, 1953) of the Richard C. du Pont Memorial Trophy,awarded annually to the U.S. National Open Class Soaring Champion. In 1956 he became the first American pilot to become the World Soaring Champion.

Paul MacCready Achievements

Awards and honors:

• Induction to the U.S. Soaring Hall of Fame, 1954
  
• Otto Lilienthal Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, 1956 ("for his decisive victory in earning the title of World Soaring Champion in 1956")
  
• California Institute of Technology, Distinguished Alumni Award, 1978,
  
• Collier Trophy, 1979, by the National Aeronautics Association ("awarded annually for the greatest achievement in Aeronautics and Astronautics in America")
  
• Reed Aeronautical Award, 1979, by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics ("the most notable achievement in the field of aeronautical science and engineering")
  
• Edward Longstreth Medal, 1979, by the Franklin Institute
  
• Engineer of the Century Gold Medal, 1980, by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers;
  
• Spirit of St. Louis Medal, 1980
  
• Inventor of the Year Award, 1981, by the Association for the Advancement of Invention and Innovation
  
• Klemperer Award, 1981, Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile, Paderborn, Germany
  
• I.B. Laskowitz Award, 1981, New York Academy of Science
  
• The Lindbergh Award, 1982, by the Lindbergh Foundation ("to a person who contributes significantly to achieving a balance between technology and the environment")
  
• Golden Plate Award, 1982, of the American Academy of Achievement
  
• Gold Air Medal, of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
  
• Distinguished Service Award, of the Federal Aviation Administration
  
• Public Service Grand Achievement Award, of NASA
  
• Frontiers of Science and Technology Award, 1986, first award in this category given by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
  
• The "Lipper Award", 1986, for outstanding contribution to creativity, by the O-M Association (Odyssey of the Mind)
  
• Guggenheim Medal, 1987, jointly by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  
• National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement, 1988
  
• Enshrinement in The National Aviation Hall of Fame, July 1991, Dayton, Ohio
  
• SAE Edward N. Cole Award for Automotive Engineering Innovation, September 1991
  
• Scientist of the Year, 1992 ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists), San Diego Chapter
  
• Pioneer of Invention, 1992, United Inventors Association
  
• Chrysler Design Award for Innovation in Design, 1993
  
• Honorary Member designation, American Meteorological Society, 1995
  
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Ralph Coats Roe Medal, November 1998
  
• Howard Hughes Memorial Award, Aero Club of Southern California, January 1999
  
• Calstart's 1998 Blue Sky Merit Award, February 1999
  
• 1999 National Convention of the Soaring Society of America, dedicated to Paul MacCready, February 1999
  
• Special Achievement Award, Design News, March 1999
  
• Included in Time magazine's "The Century's Greatest Minds" (March 29, 1999) series "on the 100 most influential people of the century"
  
• Philip J. Klass Lifetime Achievement Aviation Week Laureate Award, April 1999
  
• Commemorated in Palau stamp, 1 of 16 "Environmental Heroes of the 20th Century", January 2000
  
• Institute for the Advancement of Engineering William B. Johnson Memorial Award, February 2000
  
• Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, National Design Award – Product Design, November 2000
  
• Hoyt Clarke Hottel Award, American Solar Energy Society, April 24, 2001 ("lifetime achievement as an inventor, specifically for inventing the world's first two solar-powered aircraft")
  
• 2001 World Technology Award for Energy, England, July 2001
  
• Prince Alvaro de Orleans Borbon Fund, First Annual Award, October 2001, from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, Switzerland
  
• The 2002 Walker Prize, Museum of Science, Boston, March 2002
  
• International von Karman Wings Award, Aerospace Historical Society, May 2002
  
• The 9th Annual Heinz Award in Technology, the Economy and Employment, 2003
  
• Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, 2003
  
• Honorary Doctorate, Washington & Jefferson College, May 2007