A cool idea with a big splash You know the Super Soaker. It’s one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy. A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity began early in Lonnie Johnson’s life. Growing up in a house full of brothers and sisters, persistence and a passion for problem solving became the cornerstone for a career as an engineer and his work with NASA. But it is his invention of the Super Soaker water gun that has made his most memorable splash with kids and adults.
I really liked reading about the persistence of Lonnie Johnson. He did major things like help scientist at NASA and also what might be named less significant inventions like the super soaker water gun for children to play with.
Chris Barton is the best-selling author of several books for children, including Shark vs. Train (Little, Brown) and The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and BrandNew Colors. He lives in Austin, Texas.
Don Tate is the author and illustrator of Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton (Peachtree), for which he received the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and Strong as Sandow. He received the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor for It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw (Lee & Low). He is the illustrator of several picture books including The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch (Eerdmans), and The Cart That Carried Martin. Don lives in Austin, Texas
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