Professor Allan Snyder

(2001) The Australian National University

Presented by: Chairman Martin Meyerson of The Marconi Foundation; President John Jay Iselin of that foundation at Columbia University, New York City

Snyder's key contributions laid the foundations for three totally different areas of science: optical fiber telecommunications, visual photoreceptor optics and futuristic light-guiding-light technologies. His design of a range of devices essential to the operation of the telecommunications network has enabled millions of miles of fiber optic cable to be laid around the globe. Born in Philadelphia and educated in the United States and England, Snyder began his research in the mid-1960s on how visual photoreceptors in the human retina transmit light images in the brain. At the time, he had no particular interest in telecommunications but noticed the similar transmission properties of both photo receptors and optical fiber.

Bibliographies

Center for the Mind, Professor Allan Snyder, Director Joint Venture: Australian National University and University of Sydney

What makes a champion? Events

Interview, Australian Broadcast Network

Interview, DATA

Mind, body and soul - what makes a champion?