NASA Scientist & Inventor of the Illusion Transmitter
Born February 8, 1943
🇺🇸 United States Electronics & ComputingValerie LaVerne Thomas was born on February 8, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, during a time when career paths for women—especially African American women—were severely limited. Growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, she faced a world that discouraged girls from pursuing science and mathematics. Yet from an early age, Thomas displayed an intense curiosity about how things worked.
As a young girl, Thomas was fascinated by electronics and technology. She watched her father repair the family television and became captivated by the inner workings of electronic devices. She wanted to learn more, to take things apart and understand them, but her parents didn't encourage these interests—science and engineering were considered "boys' pursuits." Her schools offered no advanced science or math classes for girls. Despite these barriers, her curiosity never dimmed.
Thomas took matters into her own hands. She borrowed her father's electronics books and taught herself about circuits, vacuum tubes, and electrical systems. When other girls her age were discouraged from technical subjects, Thomas was quietly building a foundation in electronics that would serve her throughout her career. This self-directed learning demonstrated the determination that would characterize her entire life.
In 1961, Thomas enrolled at Morgan State University in Baltimore, a historically Black university known for its strong academic programs. She chose to major in physics—a bold decision at a time when women represented less than 3% of physics majors nationwide, and African American women in the field were even rarer. She was one of only two women in her physics program.
The discrimination was real and constant. Professors sometimes questioned whether women belonged in physics classrooms. Fellow students occasionally dismissed her contributions. The broader society assumed that as a woman, especially a Black woman, she couldn't succeed in such a demanding technical field. Thomas ignored the doubters and focused on her studies, excelling in her coursework and graduating with honors in 1964.
Her physics degree from Morgan State opened doors that had been closed to previous generations of African American women. With strong recommendations and proven abilities, Thomas secured a position that would define her career: a job at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
In 1964, Thomas joined NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, initially as a data analyst. She was one of very few African American women working in technical positions at NASA during this early period of the space program. The agency was in the midst of the Space Race, working to land Americans on the Moon and explore the solar system.
Thomas quickly proved her exceptional abilities. She worked on developing computer data systems and image processing technologies. Her skills in mathematics, physics, and emerging computer science made her invaluable. As NASA's projects became more sophisticated, Thomas took on increasing responsibilities, eventually managing large teams and overseeing critical projects.
One of her most significant contributions was leading the development of the image processing systems for Landsat, the first satellite system designed to remotely sense Earth's resources. Landsat provided the first comprehensive satellite images of Earth's land surfaces, revolutionizing environmental monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, and natural resource management. Thomas's work ensured that the massive amounts of data from Landsat could be processed and analyzed effectively.
The Landsat project was groundbreaking. It allowed scientists to track deforestation, monitor crop health, observe urban sprawl, detect water pollution, and study climate change—all from space. Thomas's image processing systems made sense of the raw satellite data, transforming it into usable information that transformed how we understand and manage our planet. Her work directly contributed to modern environmental science and Earth observation systems still used today.
In 1976, while attending a scientific seminar, Thomas saw a demonstration of optical illusions created using concave mirrors. Unlike flat mirrors that simply reflect images, concave mirrors can create remarkable three-dimensional effects, making objects appear to float in space with realistic depth and dimension. Thomas was fascinated by the possibilities.
She began researching how this optical phenomenon could be applied to transmit three-dimensional images electronically. Traditional television and video systems transmitted flat, two-dimensional images. Thomas envisioned a system that could transmit realistic 3D images over distances, allowing viewers to see objects with depth and dimension as if they were physically present.
After years of research and development, Thomas invented the Illusion Transmitter. The device uses concave mirrors to create optical illusions that appear three-dimensional. More importantly, it includes systems for transmitting these 3D images electronically, enabling remote viewing of three-dimensional representations. On October 21, 1980, she received U.S. Patent No. 4,229,761 for her invention.
The Illusion Transmitter was groundbreaking because it demonstrated practical methods for creating and transmitting three-dimensional images—a technology that decades later would evolve into holographic displays, 3D television, virtual reality systems, and augmented reality applications. Thomas's work in the 1970s and 1980s laid conceptual groundwork for technologies that are now transforming entertainment, medicine, education, and communications.
NASA adopted Thomas's technology for various applications. The Illusion Transmitter concept proved valuable for visualizing satellite data, medical imaging, and scientific visualization. Surgeons could view internal organs in three dimensions. Engineers could examine spacecraft components. Scientists could visualize complex data in ways previously impossible. Her invention opened new dimensions—literally—in how we represent and transmit visual information.
Throughout her 30+ year career at NASA, Thomas continued to break barriers and mentor the next generation of scientists. She worked on projects related to the Voyager missions that explored the outer planets, contributed to Hubble Space Telescope programs, and participated in numerous Earth observation initiatives. She was recognized with multiple NASA awards for her contributions to space science and technology.
Perhaps equally important was her role as a mentor and advocate for diversity in STEM fields. As one of the few African American women in technical leadership at NASA, Thomas understood the isolation and challenges faced by underrepresented groups in science. She worked to recruit, mentor, and support women and minorities entering STEM careers, helping to gradually diversify NASA's workforce.
Thomas retired from NASA in 1995, leaving behind a legacy of technological innovation and opened doors for future generations. Her Illusion Transmitter patent, her leadership on Landsat image processing, and her contributions to numerous space missions represent just part of her impact. Perhaps equally valuable was her example—proving that African American women could excel at the highest levels of science and engineering, inspiring countless young people to pursue careers they might have thought impossible.
Valerie Thomas's 3D imaging technology pioneered advances that led to modern holographic displays, medical imaging systems, and satellite visualization tools used worldwide.
Valerie Thomas's Illusion Transmitter was decades ahead of its time. In 1980, when she received her patent, the idea of transmitting three-dimensional images seemed like science fiction. Today, holographic displays, 3D television, virtual reality headsets, and augmented reality systems are becoming commonplace. Thomas's early work exploring how to create and transmit 3D images helped establish the conceptual and technical foundation for these modern technologies.
Her work on Landsat image processing had immediate and lasting impact. The satellite imagery systems she helped develop transformed environmental science, urban planning, agriculture, and resource management. Today, we take for granted the ability to view satellite images of Earth, track environmental changes, and monitor natural disasters from space—all made possible by systems that Thomas helped pioneer.
Perhaps Thomas's most important legacy is her example. As a Black woman physicist and NASA scientist during an era when both racism and sexism were pervasive in STEM fields, she persevered and excelled. She proved that talent and determination transcend the artificial barriers of race and gender. Every young woman of color who pursues a STEM career today walks a path that Thomas helped clear.
Her story also highlights the importance of nurturing curiosity in young people regardless of their gender or race. Thomas succeeded despite discouragement, teaching herself electronics when adults told her it wasn't appropriate for girls. Imagine how many potential innovators we've lost because they didn't have Thomas's exceptional determination to overcome societal barriers. Her legacy challenges us to encourage all children's curiosity and ensure equal access to STEM education and careers.
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