 Described as the "Thomas Edison" of manufacturing, he was one of the first to recognize and develop the productivity-enhancing potential for computer automation in skill-intensive industrial sectors.His work in this field grew from his early developments of graphical-numerical computing devices, data-reduction tools, and plotters.He was awarded America's National Medal of Technology, the country's highest recognition in technology and innovation, in 1994, for his "technical leadership in the invention, development and commercialization of manufacturing automation systems for a wide variety of industries."