Meet Valerie Thomas, Lesser-Known Scientist Behind 3D Imaging Technology

Whenever someone talks about 3D technology, our minds often jump to sci-fi movies or exciting virtual reality games. But, we bet you didn't know that behind this amazing technology lies the brilliant mind of a NASA scientist, Valerie Thomas. However, despite her immense contributions to science and technology, Valerie Thomas remains one of the most underrated innovators in history.

The Woman Who Stood Out Of The Line

Born in the year 1943, Valerie Thomas grew up at a time when it was not in society's favour to 'allow' women, especially Black women, to pursue careers in science. But Thomas wasn’t one to follow the crowd. She was fascinated by technology from a very young age, so she taught herself how to fix televisions and play with gadgets, learning skills that would later shape her career in STEM.

She graduated from Morgan State University with a degree in physics, joined NASA in 1964, and became one of the first few women working at the space agency. From data analysis to satellite technology, she quickly made a name for herself in what was considered a male-dominated field. 

The Illusion Transmitter: Her Biggest Breakthrough 

In the late 1970s, Thomas made a game-changing invention, the illusion transmitter, a device that creates 3D images using mirrors and light. This new technology could project images that appeared solid and could be viewed from different angles, just like a hologram straight out of a sci-fi movie.

She got her invention patented in 1980 and laid the foundation for modern 3D imaging technology. Today, her work forms the base of everything from medical imaging and virtual reality to NASA’s own space research.

"I never imagined that my work would have such a far-reaching impact," Thomas once said in an interview. "I just wanted to create something that could push technology forward."

Beyond Her Technical Excellence 

Valerie Thomas spent much of her career mentoring young scientists, especially women of colour and has always encouraged them to break into fields where they were often overlooked.

Valerie Thomas redefined what it means to be a woman in science. Her story is proof of how curiosity, resilience, and a little bit of rebellion can change the world. So the next time you play a 3D video game or strap on your VR headset, don't forget to remember the genius woman behind this amazing technology.

In the words of Valerie Thomas, “If you want to know what the future looks like, build it yourself.”