| 1900 |
April 10 – born in Cullom, Illinois to a blacksmith, George W., and his wife
Elizabeth. One of four children (3 sons and 1 daughter). |
| 1918 |
Served in the Marine Corps until January 1919. |
| 1922 |
Earned a Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois. |
| 1923 |
Earned a Master's degree in physical chemistry from the University of Illinois. |
| 1925 |
Married Mabel Meinzer, whom he met at a Red Cross dinner for wounded veterans of war.
He was there to fill up the extra tables and she was serving the dinner. |
| 1926 |
Accepted a teaching assistantship at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in
Pasadena, California. |
| 1928 |
Received doctorate in photochemistry at California Institute of Technology.
Joins facility as Assistant Professor of Chemistry. |
| 1934 |
Founded National Inking Appliance Company in Pasadena, California on November 26. |
| 1935 |
Name changes to National Technical Laboratories. Dr. Beckman created first pH meter;
sells 87; grosses $11,215.95. |
| 1937 |
Daughter Patricia joins the family. |
| 1940 |
Son Arnold Stone joins the family. |
| 1940 |
Invented Helipot precision potentiometer and DU quartz spectrophotometer.
Resigns faculty position at California Institute of Technology. |
| 1950 |
National Technical Laboratories becomes Beckman Instruments, Inc. Sales reach
$6 million mark, employees total 450. |
| 1953 |
Became the first alumnus named to the Caltech Board of Trustees; served as
Chairman from 1964 - 1974 when he was elected Chairman Emeritus. |
| 1954 |
Moved to new Fullerton plant, which receives Factory Management and Maintenance
"Top Ten Plants" award. |
| 1957 |
Became an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists (AIC), an
honor bestowed on only one percent of the Institute's membership. |
| 1960 |
The University of Illinois presented Dr. Beckman with its Illini Achievement
Award for leadership in the field of precision instruments. |
| 1965 |
Became chairman of the board of Beckman Instruments, Inc.; William F.
Balhaus ascends to president. |
| 1977 |
September 28 – founded the Arnold and Mabel Beckman foundation. |
| 1982 |
Signed agreement for merger with SmithKline Corporation of Philadelphia,
forming SmithKline Beckman. |
| 1983 |
Elected as Vice-Chairman of SmithKline Beckman Board of Directors. |
| 1983 |
April 30 – retired from Beckman Instruments, Inc. |
| 1984 |
Retired from SmithKline Beckman Board of Directors. |
| 1987 |
February 8 – became the 65th inductee into the National Inventors
Hall of Fame. |
| 1988 |
Awarded the National Medal of Technology. |
| 1988 |
July 15 – received the National Medal of Technology for outstanding
contributions to the U.S. through technology. |
| 1988 |
April 16 – dedicated the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the
National Academies of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine, California. |
| 1989 |
Received the National Medal of Science Award from President George Bush;
Henry Townley Heald Award, Illinois Institute of Technology; Charles Lathrop Parsons Award,
American Chemical Society; National Medal of Science; and the Presidential Citizens Medal. |
| 1991 |
The Beckman Foundation initiates the Beckman Young Investigator (BYI) awards.
These young scientists are conducting their research programs at prominent universities and
research institutes across the nation. |
| 1997 |
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation initiated the Beckman Scholars
Program, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate students in chemistry and biological
sciences research at selected universities throughout the United States. Seventy-three
students at twenty universities received awards in 1998. |
| 1998 |
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation initiated a K-6 Science Education
Initiative for elementary children in Orange County, Calif. Over the next five years,
the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, on behalf of Dr. Beckman and his daughter Pat,
will spend approximately $14.5 million on a science education program. The program is designed
to capture children's natural curiosity and stimulate their interest in science through
hands-on, inquiry based science learning experiences. |
| 1998 |
The Beckman Research Technologies Initiative was announced. The initiative
supports the development of new research technologies, directed at leading edge scientific
fields of study, that have similar potential for creating new approaches to the solution
of basic research questions. It is anticipated that two five-year awards will be made initially. |
| 2000 |
Dr. Beckman's 100th birthday is celebrated by Beckman Coulter worldwide. |
| 2004 |
Arnold O. Beckman died on May 18, at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California. |
Arnold O. Beckman Milestones
