Tom Bacon: Pioneering Engineer Honored for Fuel Cell Contribution to Apollo Missions
Key Ideas
- Tom Bacon, a Cambridge engineer, was recognized with a blue plaque for developing the first working hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell used in Apollo 11.
- His invention provided electricity to the spacecraft and was crucial in landing the first men on the moon in 1969.
- Bacon's 'Bacon Cells' were a breakthrough, offering a portable power source fueled by hydrogen and oxygen with only water as emission, inspiring modern-day renewable energy solutions.
- The plaque in Bacon's honor was unveiled at Marshall of Cambridge, recognizing his significant contribution to space exploration.
Tom Bacon, a Cambridge engineer, was posthumously recognized for his groundbreaking contribution to space exploration through the development of the first working hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. Born in 1904, Bacon's invention played a pivotal role in providing electricity to the Apollo missions, particularly Apollo 11, which landed the first men on the moon in 1969. His fuel cell, dubbed 'Bacon Cells' by NASA, allowed for a portable power source fueled by hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water as a byproduct. This environmentally friendly energy solution paved the way for modern renewable energy technologies. The blue plaque in Bacon's honor was unveiled at Marshall of Cambridge, a technology and engineering company. The plaque commemorates Bacon's ingenuity and the critical role his invention played in the success of the Apollo missions. Bacon's pioneering work continues to inspire scientists and engineers in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.