An Wang (1920-1990) Credit: invent.org

An Wang immigrated to the U.S. from Shanghai in 1945. Three years later he earned a Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard University. In 1951 he started Wang Laboratories, Inc.

He personally gained more than 35 patents, Wang's major contribution to technology was his invention of the magnetic "Pulse Transfer Controlling Device". His regulating the flow of magnetic energy, Wang made magnetic core memory a reality. In 1965, Wang introduced "LOCI," the first desktop computer to generate logarithms at a single keystroke. The technology of LOCI formed the basis of the later Wang electronic desk calculator.

Wang's own inventions helped Wang Laboratories become a major manufacturer of the prototypical desktop computers used in laboratories and schools.In the 1970's and 1980's, Wang was in charge of a series of smaller and efficient instruments and systems for use in office automation and information processing.

An Wang was also a philanthropist, and gave funds to advance the arts and sciences. His death in 1990, Wang was remembered for his technogical advances and kindness.