Date of Birth: November 4, 1933
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: September 23, 2018
Biography
Charles Kuen Kao was a pioneering electrical engineer and physicist who is widely known as the “Father of Fiber Optics.” Born in Shanghai, China, Kao’s groundbreaking work revolutionized telecommunications and allowed for the rapid expansion of the internet and global communication networks. He conducted his most significant work during the 1960s, where he and his colleagues at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories in the UK demonstrated that fiber optics could be used for long-distance communication. Kao’s research showed that pure glass fibers could transmit light signals over vast distances with minimal loss. This discovery laid the foundation for the development of fiber-optic communication and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009. Charles K. Kao’s contributions have had a lasting impact on modern telecommunications, enabling high-speed internet and ushering in the Information Age.
5 Interesting Facts about Charles K. Kao
1. Charles K. Kao was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009 for his groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication.
2. He co-authored a seminal paper in 1966 that established the feasibility of using fiber optics for long-distance communication, which was initially met with skepticism but later became the standard.
3. Kao held dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States and was also a permanent resident of Hong Kong.
4. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1987 to 1996.
5. In 2010, Kao was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which he and his wife, Gwen Kao, publicly discussed to raise awareness about the condition.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles K. Kao
1. “The single mode of light transmission is the key to unlocking the potential of fiber optic technology.”
2. “To be a successful scientist, you must have a passion for discovery and an insatiable curiosity.”
3. “Communication is the essence of science; it must be made public.”
4. “You have to dream big to achieve big.”
5. “Science is not just a body of knowledge; it’s a way of thinking.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Charles K. Kao’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Charles K. Kao had two children with his wife, Gwen Kao. They have a son named Simon Kao and a daughter named Amanda Kao.
Relevant Links
2. [IEEE Global History Network – Charles Kao](https://ethw.org/Charles_K._Kao
3. [Charles Kao – Fiber Optic Communication](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-K-Kao
