George E. Smith, a pioneering researcher from Bell Labs, died on May 28th at the age of 95. A colleague and he jointly sketched out an idea on a blackboard in 1969 that laid the groundwork for digital photography and other technological advancements. This groundbreaking concept earned him the Nobel Prize in physics 40 years later. Dr. Smith’s vision involved converting light into digital signals, paving the way for breakthroughs in medical imaging and astronomical research.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/05/31/george-smith-nobel-digital-dies