W. Lincoln Hawkins
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n 1942, Hawkins joined Bell Telephone Laboratories as a member of the technical staff. The first Black scientist to be employed by Bell Labs in Murray Hill, he undertook research of the thermal and oxidative stabilization of polymers for use in telecommunications. Hawkins co-developed a chemical formula which protected polythylene from the oxidation effects of sunlight and heat. This enabled polyethylene to replace expensive and toxic lead alloys as a protective jacketing on telephone cables. Hawkins discovery went into production in the early 1960's and continues to be used with today's fiber optic cable.
During his 34-year career at Bell Labs, Hawkins earned 14 U.S. patents and 129 foreign patents in 18 countries. He served as research director of the Plastics Institute of America from 1976-83. He has been awarded 17 international patents related to the protection of plastics against oxidative degradation.
Hawkins also received the following awards: The International Award, Society of Plastics Engineers; election to the National Academy of Engineering; Award of Merit, National Technical Association, North Jersey Section, 1982; Achievement Award, Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers, 1981; Percy L. Julian Award, 1977; Distinguished Alumni Award, Howard University, 1974; Annual Community Service Award of the Urban League, Essex County, 1973; Honor Scroll, American Institute of Chemists, 1970; and Sigma Xi. Honorary Degrees bestowed by: Montclair State College, LL.D.; Stevens Institute of Technology, D.Eng.; Kean College, LL.D. and Howard University, D.Sci.
Hawkins was the first Black engineer to be inducted into the National Academy of Engineering and is a member of the Board of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. He is the former chairman and member of the Board of Trustees of Montclair State College and served on the Board of Trustees of Mountainside Hospital. Hawkins also was active on the national and regional levels of the American Chemical Society.
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