Mic Drop is the inspiring story of the life and work of James E. West. While West is best known as the co-inventor of the microphone that was used in every telephone and hearing aid in the world for decades, he had to overcome significant racism in order to thrive in his life and career. He was one of the first Black men to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering. He received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and was featured in Kareem Abdul Jabbars book, What Color Is My World? This book presents Jim Wests story by interweaving his professional life and personal life to portray a multifaceted image of a very human scientist and activist. More than simply describing his battles with racism, Mic Drop details how Jim West helped forge connections within the Black community to establish paths to success. Jims story links to key historical events e.g. his mother was one of the human computers at Langley and the town where he grew up was the largest defendant of the five that were prosecuted in Brown v. Board of Education. An uplifting story which encourages readers to follow their dreams, this book is aimed at readers with a curious mind but doesnt require any scientific background. Mic Drop will appeal to Black students and their families and it will also pique the interest of readers who appreciate science and technology and those who are interested in the history of racism in America.
Growing Up Curious.- College, Here I Come.- Youre in the Army Now.- A
College Man Again.- Marriage and Bell Labs.- My Plainfield Community.-
Understanding Electrets.- Diversity Advocacy at Bell Labs.- Divorce.-
Directional Sensors.- Married Again.- Digital Signal Processing.- Still
Parenting.- I am the President of the Acoustical Society of America.- Concert
Halls and Microphones.- Leaving Bell Labs.- I Work at Johns Hopkins
University.- Medical Acoustics.- Sonavi Labs.- Thoughts for the Future.
James West, Baltimore, USA;
Ilene Busch-Vishniac, Baltimore, USA;
