Awards & Winners

Sam B. Williams

Date of Birth 07-May-1921
Place of Birth Seattle
(King County, United States of America, Washington, Area code 206, Salish Sea Marine Sanctuary)
Nationality United States of America
Also know as Sam Williams
Profession Inventor
Sam Barlow Williams was an American inventor and founder of Williams International. He was particularly known for his development of the small fan-jet engine. He received several prestigious awards for innovation in aviation: Collier Trophy 1978, presented by President Jimmy Carter; Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy 1988, presented by President Ronald Reagan; and National Medal of Technology, presented by President Bill Clinton. Williams was also an inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Aviation Hall of Fame 1998. Williams also promoted inventors and inventions in medical research for cancer and for degenerative eye disease, with which he was afflicted. Williams was a mechanical engineer for the Chrysler Corporation before starting his own company to develop and build small gas turbine engines. The first production contract was for an experimental gas turbine for a marine outboard.

Awards by Sam B. Williams

Check all the awards nominated and won by Sam B. Williams.

1995


National Medal of Technology and Innovation
(For his unequaled achievements as a gifted inventor, tenacious entrepreneur, risk-taker and engineering genius in making the USA number one in small gas turbine engine technology and competitiveness, and for his leadership and vision in revitalizing the U.S. general aviation business jet and trainer jet aircraft industry.)

1978


Collier Trophy
(for developing the world\u2019s smallest fanjet engine)