HOF 2007 – Academics/Achievement
Peterson designed nearly 100 patents and is known for creating the Kodak Instamatic, one of the world’s most popular cameras, introduced in 1963. In 1978, he started working for Fischer Price Toys where he designed an impact-proof audio-cassette recorder for children which became one of their most popular products. He also designed the first successful consumer operated three-dimensional print camera. Dean passed away 2004.
EDUCATION
B.S. General Engineering, with honors South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota
M.S. Mechanical Engineering (Optical minor) University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
HONORS/PATENTS
Sigma Tau/Tau Beta Pi – National Honorary Society
FELLOW – Society of Photographic Scientists and Engineers 1974
MEMBER
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Society of Photographic Scientists and Engineers
Triangle Fraternity of Engineers and Architects Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Society of Plastic Engineers
TOP ONE HUNDRED – Included in top 100 all-time graduates of SDSM&T. On the occasion of their centennial anniversary, 1985.
ELDER – Presbyterian Church, USA
PATENTS
Many patents: (mechanical, optical, electronic, process, etc.)
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
1990 – Pacific Innovations Escondido, California – Operate my own engineering consulting company
1989 -1990 Signet Armorlite Inc., San Marcos, California – Director of Engineering
1987 – 1989 American Optical Company, San Diego, California – Manager of Process Development
1983 – 1987 Spin Physics – Division of Eastman Kodak, San Diego, California – Manager of Engineering – Systems Division
1981 -1983 Nimslo Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia – Director of Engineering – Camera Division
Fisher-Price Toys, San Diego, California – Manager of Engineering – Audio-Visual Division
Honeywell Test Instruments Division, Littleton, Colorado – Senior Technical Engineer, E-5
Honeywell Photo Products Division, Denver, Colorado – Manager of Advanced Development / Mechanical Design
Eastman Eodak Company, Rochester, Nev York – Senior Project Engineer
United States Army – Microwave Radio Repairman, draftee, Korean conflict
IMPORTANT PRODUCTS / ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Designed camera employing fully Automatic exposure control system
In conjunction with other engineers. Star Matic (Eastman Kodak)
Designed original Instamatic camera, i.e., cassette-loaded amateur camera. (Eastman Kodak) (65 million units sold)
Designed first successful Automatic-Focus camera (Honeywell, Photo Division)
Designed low-cost, fixed head, hi-speed Oscillograph (Honeywell Test Inst. Div.)
Designed clinical diagnostic and other high-technology Medical Instruments (Honeywell Medical Products Division)
Introduced novel, childproof Phonograph and Cassette recorder (Fisher-Price) which became the most successful toys of all time in the F-P line
Introduced high technology circuit board production incorporating ATE at border factory facility Tijuana, Mexico (Fisher-Price)
Developed first successful, consumer operated Three-Dimensional print camera
Designed Biomedical Equipment for OR and planned new product development strategy (Kimberly Clark Medical Products)
Worked with foreign companies to negotiate terms, set up and run factories in Scotland, Mexico, Wales and Japan (Fisher-Price, Nimslo, Am Opt., E. Kodak)
Developed state-of-the-art Fast Frame Video System, tape system, for video motion analysis; 1000 Frames/second (Spin Physics, Eastman Kodak)
Developed and installed novel automated Manufacturing Process for production of ophthalmic lenses at border facility, Tijuana, Mexico (American Optical)
Concepted and designed a Modular Ophthalmic Casting System capable of manufacturing state-of-the-art plastic lenses (Signet Armorlite)
Conceptual design and patent for a Medical Device used in cardiovascular surgery using fluid-dynamically designed disposable (consultant for Galen Medical, PI)
Designed novel Infusion Pump that provides constant delivery rates for extremely small fluid volumes. Patent in progress (For my own company, PI)
Designed Mechanical Housing for state-of-the-art, Pen Top computer that will withstand extreme environmental abuse for Department of the army and the DOT. Planned and developed fixtures and equipment for production of this computer. (As a consultant to DATA Co, PI)
Served as Expert Witness on cases involved ‘with patent litigation.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Managing technical personnel and Project management
Machine and product design
Design of precision plastic injection molded parts
Design of metal parts: Castings, forging, sheet metal, screw machine, 4-slide, etc.
Electro-opto-mechanical design of novel concepts
Design, setup and installation of manufacturing (robotic) equipment
First-hand production and manufacturing skills
Design and development of automated manufacturing processes
Management of manufacturing engineering and factory start-up
Knowledge of regulatory and GMP practice as related to medical product production
Teaching (University level: Machine design, analytical mechanics, etc.)
Documentation, YH.5-1982 M etc.
FAMILY
Married; two grown sons