M. George Craford

Biography

M. George Craford is known for his expertise with light-emitting-diodes (LEDs). In 1972, he invented the first yellow LED.

Craford received both his master's (1963) and doctoral (1967) degrees in physics from the University of Illinois. He began his career at Monsanto Chemical Company in 1967, and in 1979, joined Hewlitt Packard. Three years later he became the research and development manager of the company's Optoelectronics Division. At Hewlitt Packard, Craford pioneered development of AlInGaP LEDs and developed AlGaAs and InGaN products. In 1999, he became the Chief Technical Officer of Lumileds Lighting, now known as Philips Lumileds Lighting Company.

Craford's success has been recognized by the National Academy of Engineering, NASA, the Electrochemical Society, and IEEE, among others. He received the 1995 IEEE Morris N. Liebman Memorial Award.