Topic: Lonnie Johnson: The father of the Super Soaker

[Ken (OP)]

Dan Rather made an interesting post on his FB Page this morning... it's a really good read about Lonnie Johnson.

Here are some excerpts:

...Dan Rather
If you want a feel-good story this morning, I recommend this first-person essay. I had never heard of Lonnie Johnson until now, and it is a shame. He is most famous for inventing the Super Soaker water gun, but you will find his life story is so much more.

Overcoming institutional racism in segregated Alabama, he served his country in important jobs in the Air Force. All the while, his restless, inventive mind was at work. And it still is.

He begins by saying "I've always liked to tinker with things." It is an instinct that I have long felt should be indispensable to a healthy and active childhood. We should encourage young people to be curious, to take things apart, and try to figure out how to make things better. These are the instincts that have powered American ingenuity in science, culture, and business.

Lonnie Johnson is a worthy role model.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-37062579

[Skhilled]

Cool but strange! You would think the creator of that was Black because all of the kids playing with them in the commercials are white! LOL But I guess that's how you sell on the tele. But I am starting to see mixed couples, etc. a lot more in commercials.

[Ken (OP)]

.../snip/... But I am starting to see mixed couples, etc. a lot more in commercials.

I've been noticing that for a few years now and more so in the last couple of years. Most likely I'm more inclined to pick up on this than most(a lot of?) people because my kids are mixed.
Of course, we all are actually mixed, doncha know. 

And speaking of this kind of subject line... visualize if you will a tall skinny 'white' guy and his tall thin 'black' lady along with their very cute little 'mixed' son walking into the local grocery to do a little shopping. In today's world would a few eyebrows get raised? Maybe.

Now visualize that same family doing the same in 1959. 

[Skhilled]

Oh yeah!

Funny you should post this article then later that day I read this:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-accused-of-unprovoked-attack-on-interracial-couple-in-washington-state/

[Ken (OP)]

Glad that the couple are both going to be OK and that they caught the jerk.

[Skhilled]

That jerk is lucky! If it was me holding him for the cops to arrive they'd have to pry my hands from around he dead neck! It really bothers me when innocents get hurt.