Academy Award for Technical Achievement

The Technical Achievement Award is one of three Scientific and Technical Awards given from time to time by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (The other two awards are the Scientific and Engineering Award and the Academy Award of Merit.)^[1] The Technical Achievement Award is an honorary award that is given annually to those whose particular technical accomplishments have contributed to the progress of the motion picture industry.^[2] The award is a certificate, which describes the achievement and lists the names of those being honored for the particular contribution.^[2]^[3] These awards are usually given at a dinner ceremony held weeks prior to the Academy Awards broadcast and a brief excerpt is shown in the Oscars telecast.

Winners[]

See Category:Academy Award for Technical Achievement winners.

Technical Achievement Award Recipients from 1931/32 to 1999
Year	Recipient(s)	Department
1930/1931 (4th)	To Electrical Research Products, Inc., for moving coil microphone transmitters. To RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., for reflex type microphone concentrators. To RCA-Photophone, Inc. for ribbon microphone transmitters.	Sound
1931/1932 (5th)	To Eastman Kodak Company for its Type II-B Sensitometer.	Laboratory
1932/1933 (6th)	To Fox Film Corporation, Fred Jackman and Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., and Sidney Sanders of RKO Studios, Inc., for their development and effective use of the translucent cellulose screen in composite photography.	Special Photographic
1934 (7th)	To Columbia Pictures Corporation for their application of the Vertical Cut Disc Method (hill and dale recording) to actual studio production, with their recording of the sound on the picture One Night of Love. To Bell and Howell Company for their development of the Bell and Howell Fully Automatic Sound and Picture Printer.	Sound Laboratory
1935 (8th)	To Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for the development of anti-directional negative and positive development by means of jet turbulation, and the application of the method to all negative and print processing of the entire product of a major producing company. To William A. Mueller of Warner Bros.-First National Studio Sound Department for his method of dubbing, in which the level of the dialogue automatically controls the level of the accompanying music and sound effects. To Mole-Richardson Company for their development of the "Solar-spot" spot lamps. To Douglas Shearer and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department for their automatic control system for cameras and sound recording machines and auxiliary stage equipment. To Electrical Research Products, Inc. for their study and development of equipment to analyze and measure flutter resulting from the travel of the film through the mechanisms used in the recording and reproduction of sound. To Paramount Productions, Inc. for the design and construction of the Paramount transparency air turbine developing machine. To Nathan Levinson, Director of Sound Recording for Warner Bros.-First National Studio, for the method of intercutting variable density and variable area sound tracks to secure an increase in the effective volume range of sound recorded for motion pictures.	Laboratory Sound Lighting Stage Operations Sound Laboratory Sound
1936 (9th)	To RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc., for their development of a method of recording and printing sound records utilizing a restricted spectrum (known as ultra-violet light recording). To Electrical Research Products, Inc. for the ERPI "Type Q" portable recording channel. To RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc., for furnishing a practical design and specifications for a non-slip printer. To United Artists Studio Corp. for the development of a practical, efficient and quiet wind machine.	Sound Sound Laboratory Stage Operations
1937 (10th)	To John Arnold and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Camera Department for their improvement of the semi-automatic follow focus device and its application to all of the cameras used by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio. To John Livadary, Director of Sound Recording for Columbia Pictures Corporation, for the application of the bi-planar light valve to motion picture sound recording. To Thomas T. Moulton and the United Artists Studio Sound Department for the application to motion picture sound recording of volume indicators which have peak reading response and linear decibel scales. To RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc. for the introduction of the modulated high-frequency method of determining optimum photographic processing conditions for variable width sound tracks. To Joseph E. Robbins and Paramount Pictures, Inc. for an exceptional application of acoustic principles to the sound proofing of gasoline generators and water pumps. To Douglas Shearer and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department for the design of the film drive mechanism as incorporated in the ERPI 1010 reproducer.	Photography Sound Sound Laboratory Stage Operations Sound
1938 (11th)	To John Aalberg and the RKO Radio Studio Sound Department for the application of compression to variable area recording in motion picture production. To Byron Haskin and the Special Effect Department of Warner Bros. Studio for pioneering the development and for the first practical application to motion picture production of the triple head background projector.	Sound Special Photographic
1939 (12th)	To of Warner Bros. Studio for an improved positive head for sun arcs. To John Arnold of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for the M-G-M mobile camera crane. To Thomas T. Moulton, Fred Albin and the Sound Department of the Samuel Goldwyn Studio for the origination and application of the Delta db test for sound recording in motion pictures. To Farciot Edouart, Joseph E. Robbins, William Rudolph and Paramount Pictures, Inc. for the design and construction of a quiet portable treadmill. To and of the Eastman Kodak Company for their specifications for chemical analysis of photographic developers and fixing baths. To of Warner Bros. Studio for a miniature incandescent spot lamp. To of Warner Bros. Studio for the design and manufacture of an improved sound track printer. For important contributions in cooperative development of new improved Process Projection Equipment: , , and the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company for faster projection lenses; The for a new type process projection head; Mole-Richardson Company for a new type automatically controlled projection arc lamp; , David Joy and the National Carbon Company for improved and more stable high-intensity carbons; Winton Hoch and the Technicolor Motion Picture Corp. for an auxiliary optical system; and Selznick International Pictures, Inc. for pioneering in the use of coordinated equipment in the production, Gone with the Wind.	Lighting Camera Cranes Laboratory Stage Operations Laboratory Lighting Laboratory Special Photographic
1940 (13th)	To Warner Bros. Studio Art Department and Anton Grot for the design and perfection of the Warner Bros. water ripple and wave illusion machine.	Stage Operations
1941 (14th)	To and the Paramount Studio Laboratory for pioneering in the use of and for the first practical application to release printing of fine grain positive stock. To Charles Lootens and the Republic Studio Sound Department for pioneering the use of and for the first practical application to motion picture production of CLASS B push-pull variable area recording. To and the Paramount Studio Engineering Department for the design and computation of a relay condenser system applicable to transparency process projection, delivering considerably more usable light. To Paramount Pictures, Inc., and 20th Century Fox Film Corp. for the development and first practical application to motion picture production of an automatic scene slating device. To Douglas Shearer and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, and to Loren Ryder and the Paramount Studio Sound Department for pioneering the development of fine grain emulsions for variable density original sound recording in studio production.	Film Sound Special Photographic Stage Operations Sound
1942 (15th)	To and the Paramount Studio Engineering and Transparency Departments for the design and construction of adjustable light bridges and screen frames for transparency process photography. To Daniel J. Bloomberg and the Republic Studio Sound Department for the design and application to motion picture production of a device for marking action negative for pre-selection purposes.	Special Photographic Laboratory
1943 (16th)	To Daniel J. Bloomberg and the Republic Studio Sound Department for the design and development of an inexpensive method of converting Moviolas to Class B push-pull reproduction. To and the 20th Century Fox Studio Camera Department for the development and practical application of a device for composing artificial clouds into motion picture scenes during production photography. To Farciot Edouart and the Paramount Studio Transparency Department for an automatic electric transparency cueing timer. To and the RKO Radio Studio Sound Department for the design and construction of the phono-cue starter.	Sound Photography Special Photographic Sound
1944 (17th)	To Linwood Dunn, and ACME Tool and Manufacturing Company for the design and construction of the Acme-Dunn Optical Printer. To and the 20th Century Fox Studio Camera Department for the development of a continuous loop projection device. To Western Electric Company for the design and construction of the 1126A Limiting Amplifier for variable density sound recording. To , and Joseph E. Robbins for the development and production use of the Paramount floating hydraulic boat rocker. To Gordon Jennings for the design and construction of the Paramount nodal point tripod. To Radio Corporation of America and the RKO Radio Studio Sound Department for the design and construction of the RKO reverberation chamber. To Daniel J. Bloomberg and the Republic Studio Sound Department for the design and development of a multi-interlock selector switch. To Bernard B. Brown and John P. Livadary for the design and engineering of a separate soloist and chorus recording room. To , and of the Columbia Studio Laboratory for the formula and application to production of a simplified variable area sound negative developer. To Paul Lerpae for the design and construction of the Paramount traveling matte projection and photographing device.	Laboratory Sound Sound Stage Operations Photography Sound Stage Operations Sound Laboratory Special Photographic
1945 (18th)	To Loren L. Ryder, and the Paramount Studio Sound Department for the design, construction and use of the first dial controlled step-by-step sound channel line-up and test circuit. To , , and of 20th Century Fox Studio and of Kodak Company for the 20th Century Eastman-Fox film processing machine.	Sound Laboratory
1946 (19th)	To and the Paramount West Coast Laboratory for an improved method for the quantitative determination of hydroquinone and metol in photographic developing baths. To for the development and application of formulas and equipment for producing cloud and smoke effects. To and the Warner Bros. Studio Sound and Electrical Departments for the design and construction of a motion picture arc lighting generator filter. To Carl Faulkner of the 20th Century Fox Studio Sound Department for the reversed bias method, including a double bias method for light valve and galvonometer density recording. To the Mole-Richardson Company for the Type 450 super high intensity carbon arc lamp. To , Robert O. Cook, C. O. Slyfield and the Walt Disney Studio Sound Department for the design and development of an audio finder and track viewer for checking and locating noise in sound tracks. To and the Warner Bros Studio Sound Department for the design and application of an equalizer to eliminate relative spectral energy distortion in electronic compressors. To Marty Martin, of the RKO Radio Studio Miniature Department for the design and construction of equipment providing visual bullet effects. To and the Warner Bros Studio Electrical Department for the development of the electronically controlled fire and gaslight effect.	Laboratory Stage Operations Lighting Sound Lighting Sound Sound Stage Operations Stage Operations
1947 (20th)	To Nathan Levinson and the Warner Bros. Studio Sound Department for the design and construction of a constant-speed sound editing machine. To Farciot Edouart, , , and the Paramount Studio Transparency and Engineering Departments for the first application of a special anti-solarizing glass to high-intensity background and spot arc projectors. To of Warner Bros. Studio for pioneering the fabrication and practical application to motion picture color photography of large translucent photographic backgrounds. To and the RCA Victor Division of Radio Corporation of America for the design and development of a continuously variable band-elimination filter. To of Warner Bros. Studio for the development and production of large dyed plastic filters for motion picture photography.	Sound Lighting Special Photographic Sound Lighting
1948 (21st)	To Marty Martin, , Russell Shearman and the RKO Radio Studio Special Effects Department for the development of a new method of simulating falling snow on motion picture sets. To and the Warner Bros. Studio Electrical Department for a method of remote control for shutters on motion picture arc lighting equipment.	Lighting Stage Operations
1949 (22nd)	To Loren L. Ryder, , and the Paramount Studio Sound Department for the development and application of the supersonic playback and public address system. To for the first successful large-area seamless translucent backgrounds. To for the development and application of formulas and equipment producing artificial snow and ice for dressing motion picture sets. To and for the design of the Eclair camerette. To and and the Paramount Studio Engineering, Editorial and Music Departments for a new precision method of computing variable tempo click tracks. To the International Projector Corporation for a simplified and self-adjusting take-up device for projection machines. To for the application to production of the infra-red photographic evaluator.	Special Photographic Stage Operations Stage Operations Camera Editorial Photography Projection
1950 (23rd)	No award	—
1951 (24th)	To , , and the Ansco Film Division of General Aniline & Film Corporation for the development of the Ansco color scene tester. To , , of Warner Bros. Studio for an air-driven water motor to provide flow, wake and white water for marine sequences in motion pictures. To Glen Robinson and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Construction Department for the development of a new music wire and cable cutter. To and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Construction Department for the development of balsa falling snow. To of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for the development of an automatic magnetic film splicer.	Laboratory Stage Operations Stage Operations Stage Operations Editorial
1952 (25th)	To the Projection, Still Photographic and Development Engineering Departments of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for an improved method of projecting photographic backgrounds. To John G. Frayne and and Westrex Corporation for a method of measuring distortion in sound reproduction. To for creating the Spectra color temperature meter. To for the design of the Robot automatic film splicer. To of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for the development of a sound reproducer for magnetic film.	Special Photographic Sound Photography Editorial Sound
1953 (26th)	To Westrex Corporation for the design and construction of a new film editing machine	Editorial
1954 (27th)	To and the Universal-International Studio Special Photographic Department for a portable remote control device for process projectors. To Karl Freund and of for the design and development of a direct reading brightness meter. To Wesley C. Miller, , and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department for an electronic sound printing comparison device. To John P. Livadary and and the Columbia Studio Sound Department for an improved limiting amplifier as applied to sound level comparison devices. To and of for the design and development of a cathode ray magnetic sound track viewer. To , and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department for the design of a magnetic sound editing machine. To of the Samuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department for the design of a variable multiple-band equalizer. To of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Projection Department for the practical application of a variable focal length attachment to motion picture projector lenses. To Fred Knoth and of the Universal-International Studio Technical Department for the development of a hand portable, electric, dry oil-fog machine.	Special Photographic Photography Sound Sound Sound Sound Sound Projection Stage Operations
1955 (28th)	To 20th Century Fox Studio and the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company for the new combination lenses for CinemaScope Photography. To , , of 20th Century Fox Studio for a spraying process which creates simulated metallic surfaces. To for an improved camera dolly incorporating multi-directional steering. To of 20th Century-Fox Studio for an improved spotlight capable of maintaining a fixed circle of light at constant intensity over varied distances. To Loren L. Ryder, , and the Paramount Studios for a projection film index to establish proper framing for various aspect ratios. To Farciot Edouart, and the Paramount Studio Transparency Department for an improved dual stereopticon background projector.	Lenses and Filters Props Camera Cranes Lighting Projection Special Photographic
1956 (29th)	To Richard H. Ranger of Rangertone, Inc., for the development of a synchronous recording and reproducing system for quarter-inch magnetic tape. To , , of Consolidated Film Industries for an automatic scene counter for laboratory projection rooms. To the Technical Departments of Paramount Pictures Corp. for the engineering and development of the Paramount light-weight horizontal-movement VistaVision camera. To and sons of Stewart-Trans Lux Corp., and the Transparency Department of Paramount Pictures Corp. for the engineering and development of the HiTrans and Para-HiTrans rear projection screens. To the Construction Department of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio for a new hand-portable fog machine. To Daniel J. Bloomberg, John Pond, and the Engineering and Camera Departments of Republic Studio for the Naturama adaptation to the Mitchell camera.	Laboratory Camera Special Photographic Stage Operations Photography
1957 (30th)	To , of Paramount Pictures Corp. and General Cable Corp. for the engineering and application to studio use of aluminum lightweight electrical cable and connectors.	Stage Operations
1958 (31st)	To of the General Precision Laboratory, Inc., for the development of a high speed intermittent movement for 35mm motion picture theatre projection equipment. To , , of the Warner Bros. Special Effects Department for the design and fabrication of a new rapid fire marble gun.	Projection Stage Operations
1959 (32nd)	To Ub Iwerks of Walt Disney Productions for the design of an improved optical printer for special effects and matte shots. To , Glen Robinson, and of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Construction Department for the design of a multiple cable remote controlled winch.	Laboratory Stage Operations
1960 (33rd)	To , Petro Vlahos and Columbia Studio Camera Department for a camera flicker indicating device. To and the 20th Century Fox Studio Mechanical Effects Department for the design and construction of a miniature flak gun and ammunition. To , , of Consolidated Film Industries for the development of an automatic developer replenisher system.	Photography Stage Operations Laboratory
1961 (34th)	To Hurletron, Inc., Electric Eye Equipment Division, for an automatic light changing system for motion picture printers. To Wadsworth E. Pohl and Technicolor Corp. for an integrated sound and picture transfer process.	Laboratory Laboratory
1962 (35th)	To Electro-Voice, Inc., for a highly directional dynamic line microphone. To for a selective sound effects repeater.	Sound Sound
1963 (36th)	To Douglas Shearer and A. Arnold Gillespie of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios for the engineering of an improved Background Process Projection System.	Special Photographic
1964 (37th)	To , , of ColorTran Industries for advancements in the design and application to motion picture photography of lighting units using quartz iodine lamps. To Stewart Filmscreen Corporation for a seamless translucent Blue Screen for Traveling Matte Color Cinematography. To and the 20th Century Fox Studio Mechanical Effects Department for an improved method of producing Explosion Flash Effects for motion pictures. To and of Consolidated Film Industries for the design of a Proximity Cue Detector and its application to motion picture printers. To , and of Consolidated Film Industries for the design and application to motion picture laboratory practice of a Stroboscopic Scene Tester for color and black-and-white film. To Nelson Tyler for the design and construction of an improved Helicopter Camera System.	Lighting Special Photographic Stage Operations Laboratory Laboratory Photography
1965 (38th)	No award	—
1966 (39th)	To Panavision, Incorporated, for the design of the Panatron Power Inverter and its application to motion picture camera operation. To for the production of a Composer's Manual for Motion Picture Music Synchronization. To for the production of a Composer's Manual for Motion Picture Music Synchronization.	Stage Operations Editorial Editorial
1967 (40th)	To the Electro-Optical Division of Kollmorgen Corporation for the design and development of a series of Motion Picture Projection Lenses. To Panavision, Incorporated, for a Variable Speed Motor for Motion Picture Cameras. To of the Samuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department for an Audio Level Clamper. To Waldon O. Watson and the Universal City Studio Radio Department for new concepts in the design of a Music Scoring Stage.	Lenses and Filters Camera Sound Sound
1968 (41st)	To and of Consolidated Film Industries and and of Ramtronics for engineering an automatic exposure control for printing-machine lamps. To Eastman Kodak Company for a new direct positive film and to Consolidated Film Industries for the application of this film to the making of post-production work prints. To of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., to of the Motion Picture and Television Research Center, and to of the Rank Organization for the development of a successful embodiment of the reflex background projection system for composite cinematography.	Laboratory Film
1969 (42nd)	To Oto Popleka of Magna-Tech Electronics Company, Inc., for the development of an Electronically Controlled Looping System. To of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios for the concept and engineering of a mobile battery power unit for location lighting. To Panavision, Incorporated for the design and development of the Panaspeed Motion Picture Camera Motor. To and of Universal City Studios, Inc. for a machine-gun modification for motion picture photography.	Sound Lighting Camera Stage Operations
1970 (43rd)	To Sylvania Electric Products, Inc. for the development and introduction of a series of compact tungsten halogen lamps for motion picture production. To for the concept, design and application of micro-miniature solid state amplifier modules used in motion picture recording equipment. To Eastman Kodak Company and for the design and engineering of an improved video color analyzer for motion picture laboratories. To Electro Sound Incorporated for the design and introduction of the Series 8000 Sound System for motion picture theatres.	Lighting Sound Laboratory Sound
1971 (44th)	To , , for the development and introduction of the Sunbrute system of xenon arc lamps for location lighting in motion picture production. To , a division of , for the development and introduction of the film-lens balanced Three Color Meter. To and Cinema Products Company for the development and introduction of a new crystal controlled lightweight motor for the 35mm motion picture Arriflex camera. To Producers Service Corporation and Consolidated Film Industries, Cinema Research Corporation and to Research Products, Inc. for the engineering and implementation of fully automated blow-up motion picture printing systems. To for a control motor to actuate zoom lenses on motion picture cameras.	Lighting Photography Camera Laboratory Camera
1972 (45th)	To , a division of , and PSC Technology Inc., Acme Products Division, for the Spectra Film Gate Photometer for motion picture printers. To Carter Equipment Company, Inc. and for the RAMtronics light-valve photometer for motion picture printers. To , , , of DeLuxe General Incorporated for the development of a computerized motion picture printer and process control system. To and of Canon, Inc., and of the AMPTP Motion Picture and Television Research Center for development of the Canon Macro Zoom Lens for motion picture photography. To and of Wil-Kin Inc., for engineering of the Ultra-Vision Motion Picture Theater Projection System.	Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Lenses and Filters Props Projection
1973 (46th)	To for the technical advances and the development of a complete system of light-control materials for motion picture photography. To of Todd-AO Corporation for the design of an improved anamorphic focusing system for motion picture photography.	Lenses and Filters Lenses and Filters
1974 (47th)	To The Elemack Company, Rome, Italy, for the design and development of their Spyder camera dolly. To of Universal City Studios for the design and construction of a reciprocating camera platform used when photographing special visual effects for motion pictures.	Camera Cranes Stage Operations
1975 (48th)	To Lawrence W. Butler and for the concept of applying low inertia and stepping electric motors to film transport systems and optical printers for motion picture production. To and of Deluxe General Incorporated and and of the Akwaklame Company for the development of a technique for silver recovery from photographic wash-waters by ion exchange. To for the development of a devic to obtain shadowed titles on motion picture films. To and for the engineering and manufacture of a computerized tape punching system for programming laboratory printing machines. To for the engineering and manufacture of a computerized tape punching system for programming laboratory printing machines. To Bell & Howell for the engineering and manufacture of a computerized tape punching system for programming laboratory printing machines. To for the engineering and manufacture of a computerized tape punching system for programming laboratory printing machines.	Special Photographic Laboratory Special Photographic Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory
1976 (49th)	To of and to of the Schneider Corporation for the design and development of a single-lens magnifier for motion picture projection lenses. To Panavision, Incorporated for the design and development of super-speed lenses for motion picture photography. To of Canon and of AMPTP Motion Picture and Television Research Center for the design and development of super-speed lenses for motion picture photography. To for the design and development of super-speed lenses for motion picture photography. To , a division of Kollmorgen Corporation for the engineering and manufacture of the Spectra TriColor Meter.	Lenses and Filters Lenses and Filters Lenses and Filters Lenses and Filters Photography
1977 (50th)	To of the Astrovision Division of Continental Camera Systems, Incorporated, for the engineering of its Periscope Aerial Camera System. To EECO (Electronic Engineering Company of California) for developing a method for interlocking non-sprocketed film and tape media used in motion picture production. To and of OSRAM, GmbH, for the development of the HMI high-efficiency discharge lamp for motion picture lighting. To Panavision, Incorporated for the design of Panalite, a camera-mounted controllable light for motion picture photography. To Panavision, Incorporated for the engineering of the Panahead gearhead for motion picture cameras. To Piclear, Inc, for originating and developing an attachment to motion picture projectors to improve screen image quality.	Camera Systems Lighting Lighting Stage Operations Laboratory
1978 (51st)	To and of Isco Optische Werke for the development and introduction of the Cinelux-ULTRA Lens for 35mm Motion Picture Projection. To , and of DeLuxe General, Incorporated, for the development of a Metho to Recycle Motion Picture Laboratory Photographic Wash Waters by Ion Exchange. To of CINE-FI International for the development of the CINE-FI Auto Radio Sound System for Drive-In Theaters. To of Leonard Equipment Company, for the design and manufacture of a small, mobile, motion picture camera platform known as the Chapman Hustler Dolly. To of J.L. Fisher, Incorporated, for the design and manufacture of a small, mobile, motion picture camera platform known as the Fisher Model Ten Dolly. To of Production Grip Equipment Company, for the design and manufacture of a small, mobile, motion picture camera platform known as the Stindt Dolly.	Lenses and Filters Laboratory Systems Camera Cranes Camera Cranes Camera Cranes
1979 (52nd)	To , and of M-G-M Laboratories for the development of a Computer-controlled Paper Tape Programmer System and its applications in the motion picture laboratory. To , and of Du Art Film Laboratories, Incorporated, for the development of a Computer-controlled Paper Tape Programmer System and its applications in the motion picture laboratory. To and for the development and manufacture of a device for the repair or protection of sprocket holes in motion picture film. To of Courier Films, Limited, for the Zoptic Special Optical Effects Device for motion picture photography. To A. D. Flowers and for the development of a device to control flight patterns of miniature airplanes during motion picture photography. To , a division of for the development of the Spectra Series II Cine Special Exposure Meter for motion picture photography. To Bruce Lyon and for the development of a Video Animation System for testing motion picture animation sequences. To Ross Lowell of Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Incorporated, for the development of compact lighting equipment for motion picture photography.	Laboratory Laboratory Projection Special Photographic Stage Operations Photography Cartoon Process Lighting
1980 (53rd)	To Carter Equipment Company for the development of a continuous contact, total immersion, additive color motion picture printer. To Hollywood Film Company for the development of a continuous contact, total immersion, additive color motion picture printer. To fr:André Debrie for the development of a continuous contact, total immersion, additive color motion picture printer. To and of Cinetron Computer Systems, Incorporated, for the development of a versatile general purpose computer system for animation and optical effects motion picture photography. To , and of Bell and Howell Company for the development and manufacture of a modular continuous contact motion picture film printer. To of LaVezzi Machine Works, Incorporated, for the advanced design and manufacture of a film sprocket for motion picture projectors. To and of Elicon for the development of a follow-focus system for motion picture optical effects printers and animation stands.	Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Systems Laboratory Projection Photography
1981 (54th)	To for the concept and to for the engineering of the Burbank Studios' Production Sound Department 24-frame color video system. To of Ruxton, Ltd. and and of Universal City Studios' Production Sound Department for the engineering of a 24-frame color video system. To for the engineering of a 24-frame video system. To of Continental Camera Systems, Inc. for the development of a pitching lens for motion picture photography. To of Universal City Studios for the concept and specifications for a Two Format, Rotating Head, Aerial Image Optical Printer. To of Oxford Scientific Films for the development of the OSF microcosmic zoom device for microscopic photography. To and for the development of Baryfol sound barrier materials. To Dennis Muren and of Industrial Light and Magic, Incorporated for the development of a Motion Picture Figure Mover for animation photography.	Special Photographic Special Photographic Special Photographic Camera Special Photographic Camera Stage Operations Stage Operations
1982 (55th)	To for the design and manufacture of the "Little Big Crane" for motion picture production. To and of Egripment, and to and of Matthews Studio Equipment, Incorporated, for the design and manufacture of the "Tulip Crane" for motion picture production. To Bran Ferren of Associates and Ferren for the design and development of a computerized lightning effect system for motion picture photography. To Christie Electric Corp. and LaVezzi Machine Works, Inc. for the design and manufacture of the Ultramittent film transport for Christie motion picture projectors.	Camera Cranes Camera Cranes Stage Operations Projection
1983 (56th)	To of Mole-Richardson Company for the design and engineering of a portable, 12,000 watt, lighting-control dimmer for use in motion picture production. To , and for the development of the BHP (electro-mechanical) fader for use on continuous motion picture contact printers. To of De La Mare Engineering, Incorporated, for the progressive development and continuous research of special effects pyrotechnics originally designed by Glenn W. De La Mare for motion picture production. To , and for the design and engineering of a 35mm reflex conversion camera system for special effects photography. To of Ultra-Stereo Labs, Incorporated, for the engineering and development of a 4-channel, stereophonic, decoding system for optical motion picture sound track reproduction. To for the design and development of an automated device used in the silver recovery process in motion picture laboratories.	Lighting Laboratory Stage Operations Camera Sound Laboratory
1984 (57th)	To of Tiffen Manufacturing Corporation for the production of high-quality, durable, laminated color filters for motion picture photography. To , , and of Apogee, Incorporated, for the design and development of the "Blue Max" high-power, blue-flux projector for traveling matte composite photography. To and of Apogee, Incorporated, for an innovative design for front projection screens and an improved method for their construction. To of Preston Cinema Systems for the design and development of a variable speed control device with automatic exposure compensation for motion picture cameras.	Lenses and Filters Special Photographic Special Photographic Camera
1985 (58th)	To for the development of an Animation Photo Transfer (APT) process. To Harrison & Harrison, Optical Engineers, for the invention and development of Harrison Diffusion filters for motion picture photography. To of Cinematography Electronics, Inc., for a Precision Speed Crystal-Controlled Device for motion picture photography. To of The Burbank Studios for the Mark III Camera Drive for motion picture photography.	Cartoon Process Lenses and Filters Camera Camera
1986 (59th)	To Lee Electric (Lightning) Ltd. for the design and development of an electronic, flicker-free, discharge lamp control system. To of Oxford Scientific Films' Image Quest Division for the development of a live aero-compositor for special effects photography. To Matt Sweeney and for the development of an automatic capsule gun for simulating bullet hits for motion picture special effects. To of Carl E. Holmes Company and to Alexander Bryce of The Burbank Studios for the development of a mobile DC power supply unit for motion picture production photography. To Bran Ferren of Associates and Ferren for the development of a laser synchro-cue system for applications in the motion picture industry. To of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Laboratories, Inc. for the development and installation of a computerized silver recovery operation. to for the development of programs incorporated into a pocket computer for motion picture cinematographers, and to for contributing new algorithms on which the programs are based. To and of The Burbank Studios for the development of the Beat System low-frequency cue track for motion picture production sound recording.	Lighting Special Photographic Stage Operations Lighting Special Photographic Laboratory Photography Sound
1987 (60th)	To of Dolby Laboratories, Inc., for the Cat. 43 playback-only noise reduction unit and its practical application to motion picture sound recordings. To , , William Mesa, and for refinements to a dual screen, front projection, image-compositing system. To for the application of a dual screen, front projection system to motion picture special effects photography. To Thaine Morris and for the development of DSC Spark Devices for motion picture special effects. To of Industrial Light and Magic, Inc., for the development of a Wire Rig Model Support Mechanism use to control the movements of miniatures in special effects. To and of Norris Film Products for the development of a single-frame exposure system for motion picture photography.	Sound Special Photographic Special Photographic Stage Operations Stage Operations Camera
1988 (61st)	To of Alan Gordon Enterprises Incorporated for the design concept, and to of Wilcam for the mechanical and electrical engineering, of the Image 300 35mm High-Speed Motion Picture Camera. To for the development of the motion picture industry's first paper tape reader incorporating microprocessor technology. To BHP, Inc., successor to the Bell & Howell Professional Equipment Division, for the development of a high-speed reader incorporating microprocessor technology for motion picture laboratories. To Hollywood Film Company for the development of a high-speed reader incorporating microprocessor technology for motion picture laboratories. To and of Technical Film Systems for the design and development of a high-speed light valve controller and constant current power supply for motion picture laboratories. To and of ISCO-Optic GmbH for the design and development of the Ultra-Star series of motion picture lenses. To of Spectra Cine, Incorporated, and to and for the design and development of the Spectra CineSpot one-degree spotmeter for measuring the brightness of motion picture screens. To , and of Offbeat Systems for the design and development of the Streamline Scoring System, Mark IV, for motion picture music editing. To Gary Zeller of Zeller International Limited for the development of Zel-Jel fire protection barrier for motion picture stunt work. To of Trilling Resources Limited for the development of Stunt-Gel fire protection barrier for motion picture stunt work. To for the invention of a method known as Video Assist, whereby a scene being photographed on motion picture film can be viewed on a monitor and/or recorded on video tape.	Camera Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Lenses and Filters Photography Editorial Stage Operations Stage Operations Systems
1989 (62nd)	To Dr. Leo Cattozzo for the design and development of the CIR-Catozzo Self-Perforating Adhesive Tape Film Splicer. To Magna-Tech Electronics Company for the introduction of the first remotely controlled Advance/Retard function for magnetic film sound dubbing.	Editorial Sound
1990 (63rd)	To of Belco Associates, Incorporated and for the development and manufacture of the Belco/Denove Cinemeter. This digital/analog exposure meter was specifically and uniquely designed for the cinematographer. To for optical design; Takuo Miyagishima for the mechanical design; and Panavision, Incorporated for the concept and development of the Primo Series of spherical prime lenses for 35mm cinematography. To , of the Diligent Dwarves Effects Lab for the development of the Actor Climate System, consisting of heat-transferring undergarments. To of J&G Enterprises for the development of the Cool Suit System, consisting of heat-transferring undergarments. To , , and of AB Film-Teknik for the development and manufacture of the Mark IV film subtitling processor, which has increased the speed, simplified the operation and improved the quality of subtitling. To and of HydroImage, Incorporated, for the development of the SeaPar 1200 watt HMI Underwater Lamp. To of Dedo Weigert Film GmbH for the development of the Dedolight, a miniature low-voltage tungsten-halogen lighting fixture. To , for the concept and development of a 35mm projection test film. To for the design; and the Lightmaker Company for the development of the Lightmaker AC/DC HMI Ballast. To the All-Union Cinema and Photo Research Institute (NIKFI) for continuously improving and providing 3-D presentations to Soviet motion picture audiences for the last 25 years.	Photography Lenses and Filters Stage Operations Stage Operations Laboratory Lighting Lighting Film Lighting Systems
1991 (64th)	To , for the design and development of a cobweb gun, for applying non-toxic cobweb effects on motion picture sets with both safety and ease of operation. To for the design and development of the Dry Fogger, which uses liquid nitrogen to produce a safe, dense, low-hanging fog effects. To , and Otto Nemenz International, Incorporated for the opto-mechanical design and development of the Canon/Nemenz Zoom Lens. To and Clairmont Camera for the opto-mechanical design and development of the Canon/Clairmont Camera Zoom Lens. To Century Precision Optics for the opto-mechanical design and development of the Canon/Century Precision Optics Zoom Lens.	Stage Operations Stage Operations Lenses and Filters Lenses and Filters Lenses and Filters
1992 (65th)	To Ira Tiffen of the Tiffen Manufacturing Corporation for the production of the Ultra Contrast Filter Series for motion picture photography. To of Audio Rents, Incorporated, for the development of the Model S-27 4-Band Splitter/Combiner. To for the optical design and for the mechanical design of the Panavision Slant Focus Lens for motion picture photography. To for the original concept and pioneering work; and Douglas Smythe and the Computer Graphics Department of Industrial Light & Magic for the development and the first implementation in feature motion pictures of the "MORF" system for digital metamorphosis of high resolution images.	Lenses and Filters Sound Lenses and Filters Special Photographic
1993 (66th)	To for the concept; and Gary Stadler and for the design of the Cinemills Lamp Protection System. To , , 3. for the design and development of the Unilux H3000 Strobe Lighting System. To for the design and development of the Ronford-Baker Metal Tripods for motion picture photography. To Michael Dorrough for the design and development of the compound meter known as the Dorrough Audio Level Meter. To for the development of a Silver Recovery Ion Exchange System to eliminate hazardous waste (silver ion) in wash water and allow recycling of this water.	Lighting Lighting Stage Operations Sound Laboratory
1994 (67th)	To of Special Effects Spectacular, Inc. and for the hardware design and of De La Mare Engineering, Inc. for the pyrotechnic development which together comprise the non-gun safety blank firing system. To , , , for the development of the Kino Flo Portable, Flicker Free, High Output Fluorescent Lighting System for motion picture set illumination. To of Flying-Cam for his pioneering concept and for the development of mounting a motion picture camera on a remotely-controlled miniature helicopter. To of Sonosax for the design and development of the Sonosax SX-S portable audio mixer. To and of Todd-AO Corporation for the pioneering effort of computer controlled list management style ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement). To , , and of LarTec Systems for the advancement and refinement of the computer controlled list management style ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) system via the LarTec ADR System that has established itself as a standard of the industry. To Audio Tracks, Inc. for the design and development of the ADE (Advanced Data Encoding) System which creates an encoded timecode track and database during the initial transfer of the production sound "dailies." To of CB Electronics for the design and development of the EDL (Edit Decision List) Lister which creates an encoded timecode track and database during the initial transfer of the production sound "dailies." To of Sturm's Special Effects Int'l for the creation and development of the Bio-Snow 2 Flake. To and for the development of the Cyberware 3030 3D Digitizer. To , , and for the development of the Polhemus 3 Space Digitizing System. To , Michael Crichton and for pioneering computerized motion picture budgeting and scheduling. To and of Screenplay Systems for development of the "Scriptor" software. To of the California Fritzen Propeller Company as the designer and sole manufacturer of the Eight-Bladed Ritter Fan Propellers. To of the Computer Film Company for his pioneering work in the field of film input scanning.	Stage Operations Lighting Photography Sound Sound Sound Sound Sound Stage Operations Special Photographic Special Photographic Editorial and Pre-production Editorial and Pre-production Stage Operations Special Photographic
1995 (68th)	To for the design of the L.C. Concept Digital Sound System for motion picture exhibition. To of the Warner Bros. Studio Facility for the design and subsequent development of an Automated Patchbay and Metering System for motion picture sound transfer and dubbing operations. To and of Todd-AO Corporation for their pioneering efforts in creating an Automated Patchbay System for motion picture sound transfer and dubbing operations. To , , , of CEI Technology for producing a self-contained, flicker-free Color Video-Assist Camera. To Peter Denz of Präzisions-Entwicklung Denz for developing a flicker-free Color Video-Assist Camera. To , for the design and development of "Lightning Strikes," a flexible, high-performance electronic lightning effect system. To BHP, Incorporated. for their pioneering efforts developing Digital Sound Printing Heads for motion pictures. To (a.k.a. Joe Yrigoyen) for his pioneering work in developing the Air Ram for motion picture stunt effects. To , , and for their pioneering efforts in the creation of the Digital Productions Digital Film Compositing System. To Douglas Smythe, , and Industrial Light and Magic for their pioneering efforts in the creation of the ILM Digital Film Compositing System. To the Computer Film Company for their pioneering efforts in the creation of the CFC Digital Film Compositing System. To Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse for the concept; Kodak Pathe CTP Cine for the prototype; and Eclair Laboratories and Martineau Industries for the development and further implementation of the Toulouse Electrolytic Silver Recovery Cell.	Sound Sound Sound Camera Camera Stage Operations Sound Stage Operations Special Photographic Special Photographic Special Photographic Laboratory
1996 (69th)	To Perry Kivolowitz for the primary design, and for the development of the algorithms, for the shape-driven warping and morphing subsystem of the Elastic Reality Special Effects System. To Ken Perlin for the development of Perlin Noise, a technique use to produce natural appearing textures on computer generated surfaces for motion picture visual effects. To and of the National Research Council of Canada for their pioneering work in the development of software techniques for Computer Assisted Key Framing for Character Animation. To for the concept and specifications of the Mark V Director's Viewfinder. To , Craig Hayes, and for the creation and development of the Direct Input Device. To James Kajiya and for their pioneering work in producing computer generated fur and hair in motion pictures. To , , and for the development of a system to create and control computer generated fur and hair in motion pictures. To and for the design and development of the Nite Sun II lighting crane and camera platform.	Special Photographic Special Photographic Cartoon Process Photography Special Photographic Special Photographic Special Photographic Camera Cranes
1997 (70th)	To for the design and development of the Christie ELF 1-C Endless Loop Film Transport and Storage System. To and for the development and implementation of a Portable Adjustment Tool for T-Style Slit Lens Assemblies. To for the design and development of the Special Effects Spark Generator. To , and of the Rochester Institute of Technology for the creation of A-D Strips, a diagnostic tool for the detection of the presence of vinegar syndrome in processed acetate-based motion picture film. To Jim Frazier, for the design concept, and and for the further design and development of the Panavision/Frazier Lens System for motion picture photography. To , and (of UCISCO); and to and Matt Sweeney for the development and realization of Liquid Synthetic Air. To , , for the design, development and implementation of a projection system analyzer. To , and for the concept and architecture of the Pacific Data Images (PDI) Animation System. To , Kim Davidson, and for the development of the procedural modeling and animation components of the Prisms software package. To , , for their contributions that le to the Wavefront Advanced Visualizer computer graphics system.	Projection Sound Stage Operations Laboratory Lenses and Filters Stage Operations Projection Special Photographic Special Photographic Special Photographic
1998 (71st)	To Garrett Brown and for the creation of the Skyman flying platform for Steadicam operators. This cable-driven, manned camera platform allows the operator to spin 360 degrees for unimpeded pans while controlling the downhill speed via brakes. As a device for achieving otherwise impossible shots, Skyman has had a definite influence on later cable-suspended camera systems. To Jim Rodnunsky, and of Cablecam Systems, and for the design and engineering of Cablecam. This radio-controlled, cable-driven camera platform with its ultra-smooth synthetic cables and powerful hydraulic motors, enables runs in excess of 3000 feet with quick return to start. Operating unmanned, it can function at speeds and through perils that would be unsafe for on-board operators. To David DiFrancesco, , for their pioneering efforts in the development of laser film recording technology. This pioneering laser film recorder, designed and used for motion pictures, demonstrated the potential of this technology for recording digital data onto intermediate film stock. To , , , of Industrial Light & Magic for their pioneering work in motion-controlled, silent camera dollies. This silent, high-speed motion control modification of a Panther dolly makes it possibl to film moving camera composite shots of actors while recording live dialogue. To , , and of Sony Pictures Imageworks for the creation of an advanced motion-controlled, silent camera dolly. This extensive modification to the Panther dolly allows high-speed moves to be silent, smooth and stable. To and of Mechanical Concepts for their modular system of motion-control rotators and movers for use in motion-control. These components have become the de facto industry standard for use in precision motion control equipment. To for the software and electronic design and development; and and for the design and development of the Spectra Professional IV-A digital exposure meter. The design and execution of the Spectra Professional IV-A meter has resulted in a practical and successful tool for the film production community. To for his commitment to the development of a wireless transmission system for video-assisted images for the motion picture industry. Through years of persistent effort, Mr. Kruglak has commercialized and popularized a technique of great utility for motion picture camera operations. By introducing diversity antennas and a time code insertion accessory, he has optimized camera wireless video-assist components. To for his contribution to tracking technology and for the design and implementation of the TRACK system for camera position calculation and scene reconstruction. The TRACK system is an integrated software tool that uses computer-vision techniques to extract critical 2D and 3D information about a scene and the camera use to film it. To for the design and implementation of ras_track, a system for 2D tracking, stabilization, and 3D camera and object tracking. Ras_track allows the user to determine the position and location of the camera and objects in a scene by tracking points in a scanned sequence. To and for the design and development of the K-Tek Microphone Boom Pole and accessories for on-set motion picture sound recording. The K-TEK series microphone boom pole provides production recording personnel with a self-lubricated, light-weight, sturdy pole with multiple accessories. To for his software development in the field of water simulation systems. This software technique provides an efficient and flexible method for the creation of flowing streams, oceans, tidal waves and turbulence for motion picture visual effects. To for the design and development of the "Caricature" Animation System at Industrial Light & Magic By integrating existing tools into a powerful interactive system, and adding an expressive multi-target shape interpolation-based freeform animation system, the "Caricature" system provides a degree of subtlety and refinement not possible with other systems. To of the Eastman Kodak Company, and and of Rosco Laboratories, Inc. for the design of the CalColor Calibrated Color Effects Filters. Designe to correspond to the spectral sensitivity of color negative film stocks, these filters provide for improved color control in motion picture lighting. To , , , of the Eastman Kodak Company for the research and development of the concept of molecular sieves applied to improve the archival properties of processed photographic film. The use of zeolite crystals as molecular sieves to absorb moisture, acetic acid, methylene chloride and a variety of solvents created an effective deterrent to the effects of vinegar syndrome in stored film stock. To Takuo Miyagishima and of Panavision, Incorporated for the design and development of the Eyepiece Leveler. This leveler keeps the camera eyepiece at the same level, regardless of whether the camera position is tilted up or down, enabling the camera operator to concentrate on the composition of the image. To and of Cinema Products for the design of the KeyKode Sync Reader. The KeyKode Sync Reader provides a fast, accurate and user-friendly means of utilizing the KeyKode information on film, thereby expediting the editorial and post-production processes. To for his pioneering concept and the development of the Coherent Time Code Slate. Time code slates have had significant impact on the filmmaking process by simplifying post-production. This development makes the synchronization process faster and more precise, particularly when multiple cameras are used. To for refining and further developing electronic time code slates. Due to their features and simplified operational procedures, the Denecke slates have had significant impact on the motion picture industry and have become the standard for electronic time code slates. To and of the National Film Board of Canada, and Mike Lazaridis and of Research in Motion for the design and development of the DigiSync Film KeyKode Reader. The DigiSync Film KeyKode Reader provides a fast, accurate and user-friendly means of utilizing the KeyKode information on film, expediting the editorial and post-production processes.	Camera Cranes Camera Cranes Special Photographic Camera Cranes Camera Cranes Camera Cranes Photography Camera Special Photographic Special Photographic Sound Special Photographic Special Photographic Lenses and Filters Laboratory Camera Laboratory Editorial and Pre-production Editorial and Pre-production Laboratory
1999 (72nd)	To and for the design and development of the Rycote Microphone Windshield Modular System. Designe to eliminate physical acoustical rumble and to mask a microphone's high sensitivity to wind and other unwanted noises, the lightweight and rugged Rycote Microphone Windshields accomplish these tasks without altering or impairing the original frequency response of the microphone. To for the design and development of the Light Wave microphone windscreens and isolation mounts from Light Wave Systems. Designe to eliminate physical acoustical rumble and to cover a microphone's high sensitivity to wind and other unwanted noises, the Light Wave Systems line of shock mounts and windscreens accomplish these tasks without altering or impairing the original frequency response of the microphone. To for the concept, and and of the Eastman Kodak Company for the design and development of the Eastman Lamphouse Modification Filters. The ELM Filters enable a laboratory to achieve additive printer contrast and color reproduction using a subtractive lamphouse. To Hoyt Yeatman, Jr. of Dream Quest Images and of the Eastman Kodak Company for the identification and diagnosis leading to the elimination of the "red fringe" artifact in traveling matte composite photography. The elimination of the "red fringe" artifact in traveling matte composite photography obviates expensive additional computerized image processing thus reducing the time involved in producing a seamless and convincing composite shot.	Sound Sound Lenses and Filters Laboratory

References[]

^ "About". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
^ ^a ^b "Technical Achievement Award". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
^ Skip the first hyperlink ("Technical Achievement Award"), which no longer functions, and instead go to the second hyperlink ("Archived"). "Technical Achievement Award". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 2008-06-22. Retrieved 2008-08-01. Technical Achievement Awards may be made for those accomplishments that contribute to the progress of the industry. A certificate is printed describing the achievement and listing the names of all of the individuals who contributed to its development.

External links[]

"Technical Achievement Award" – Description and photograph of this Academy Award on the official website of the Academy Awards (oscars.org). Lefthand menu links to these other related Honorary Awards; top menu includes links to home page and searchable Official Academy Award Database, with information about the winners of these awards and their official Academy Award citations.

[SciTech-1] "About". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2017-02-27.

[TechAchieveAward-2] "Technical Achievement Award". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2017-02-27.

[TechAch-3] Skip the first hyperlink ("Technical Achievement Award"), which no longer functions, and instead go to the second hyperlink ("Archived"). "Technical Achievement Award". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 2008-06-22. Retrieved 2008-08-01. Technical Achievement Awards may be made for those accomplishments that contribute to the progress of the industry. A certificate is printed describing the achievement and listing the names of all of the individuals who contributed to its development.

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