Charles K. Kao
Charles Kuen Kao, known as the "Godfather of Broadband" and the "Father of Fiber Optics," was a trailblazing Hong Kong electrical engineer who revolutionized the field of telecommunications. Born on November 4, 1933, in Shanghai, China, Kao's work laid the foundation for the modern internet and global communications infrastructure.
Early Life and Education
Kao was born in the Shanghai French Concession and was educated in the Chinese classics at home with his brother. He later pursued his higher education in the United Kingdom, where he attended the University of London and received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He continued his education by obtaining a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the same university, which set the stage for his pioneering work in fiber optics.
Pioneering Work in Fiber Optics
In the 1960s, Kao's research at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories in the UK led to groundbreaking discoveries in fiber optics. He demonstrated that optical fibers made of purified glass could be used to transmit data over long distances with minimal loss, a discovery that was revolutionary at the time. This work was instrumental in the development of single-mode optical fiber, which became the backbone of modern telecommunications systems, including the internet.
Academic and Professional Career
Kao held various academic positions, furthering his influence in the field of education. From 1991, he served as an Independent Non-Executive Director and a member of the Audit Committee of Varitronix International Limited in Hong Kong. He was also the President of the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) from 1993 to 1994. His contributions to academia were significant, including the establishment of the Charles Kao Fund Research Grants at Yale University to support studies, research, and creative projects in Asia.
Honors and Legacy
Kao's work earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009, shared with Willard Boyle and George E. Smith, for his groundbreaking achievements in the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication. His research has had a profound impact on the development of the information age, affecting everything from telecommunications to data processing.
Kao passed away on September 23, 2018, but his legacy lives on in the vast network of optical fiber cables that form the backbone of the world’s telecommunication systems.