Our Innovators Then and Now

Our commitment to continued innovation is founded upon the monumental work of PerkinElmer scientists and researchers who have developed market leading advancements in human and environmental health.

“It is exciting to reflect upon how innovation at PerkinElmer began with our quest to look outwards to the universe, advancing astronomy with precision optics. Over time, our focus turned from the sky to the earth and ourselves, discovering and developing technologies to image, detect and analyze even the smallest of samples. Our goal is to help customers make a positive impact on environmental and human health. The exciting future of science and innovation at our Company will continue to be focused on making life better as the globe faces even more complex challenges and our customer rely on PerkinElmer to find breakthrough solutions that address their most critical issues.”  — Daniel R. Marshak, Ph.D.,  Senior Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer, 2006-Present 

Meet our past and present innovators below.

 
 

Richard Perkin & Charles Elmer

Out of their mutual passion for optics and astronomy, Richard Perkin and Charles Elmer came together to form the Perkin-Elmer brand in 1937, which introduced major scientific innovations and advancements throughout the years, including computer-aided chemistry, the first commercially manufactured spectrophotometer, and the first gas chromatograph.

Harold Edgerton

©Harold & Esther Edgerton Foundation, 2012, courtesy of Palm Press, Inc.

In 1931, Dr. Harold Eugene Edgerton and his two partners, Kenneth Germeshausen and Herbert Grier, formed EG&G. During the following 30 years, EG&G advanced the field of electro-optics in unmatched research and development with more than 50 exclusive patents. Among Edgerton’s many successes, he accepted the Medal of Freedom from the United States War Department for his efforts to develop strobe lamp technology.

Jorma Wallasvaara

Jorma Wallasvaara, an inventor by nature, founded Wallac Oy in Turku, Finland in 1950 as a two-person company. With Wallasvaara’s leadership and innovative spirit, Wallac evolved into a leading instruments manufacturer for thermal technology, civil engineering and eventually grew to produce some of the most important diagnostic screening systems, including developing the first newborn screening kit in Europe in 1985.

Mark Bobrow

“I have observed the evolution of innovation as the technological developments [we] have made in signal amplification and detection areas (such as discovering new cellular pathways, mechanisms of disease, identifying new drug targets and rare cell types, and screening newborns for HIV infection), have influenced the advancement of scientific knowledge. As we look ahead at the future of science and innovation, I really hope ‘the best is yet to come.’ I think we are sitting on innovation that will make the greatest impact….” — Mark Bobrow, Technology Director, 1984-Present

Craig Whitehouse

“We developed the first electrospray ionization in 1974 as an ion source for mass spectroscopy…which has helped to advance the fields of medicine, biology and biochemistry enormously. Today, PerkinElmer is a driving force in helping to fight disease and addressing the environmental issues …and [I believe] we will continue to be a top player.” — Craig Whitehouse, Former Founder of Analytical of Branford.  Now R&D Center of Excellence Leader for Mass Spectrometry, 1987-Present

Peter Morrisroe

“I have worked in the development of ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) generators and patented some of our newest technologies, from a needle-sized plasma to meter-long plasmas that will run on almost any gas. These technological advancements open the door to new innovative instrumentation, [in which] we have remained a leader. In the future, as there will be increasing demands for identifying environmental hazards, agriculture, and food safety, I see PerkinElmer as the frontrunner in improving the health and safety of people and the environment, ‘for the better’.”  — Peter Morrisroe, Principal Scientist, 1976-Present

Dr. Marcel Golay

Dr. Marcel Golay joined Perkin-Elmer in 1962 as a senior scientist and invented the Golay infrared sensor, which at the time, was the most sensitive infrared sensor available, helping establish Perkin-Elmer as a leader in infrared technology. PerkinElmer instituted the Marcel Golay Award in honor of him and presents the annual award to a scientist in recognition of a lifetime of achievement in capillary chromatography.

 

Dr. Leslie Ettre

Dr. Leslie Ettre worked at Perkin-Elmer for 32 years and in addition to the major contributions he made to gas chromatography (GC), he wrote and edited over 40 books and almost 400 articles and papers. PerkinElmer instituted the Leslie Ettre Award in honor of him and presents the annual award to a scientist 35 years old or younger who offers the most interesting original research in capillary gas chromatography with an emphasis on environmental and food safety.