Charles Stark Draper

Charles Stark Draper was an influential American engineer and inventor known as the "father of inertial navigation." He developed precise systems that allow vehicles—like submarines, airplanes, and spacecraft—to determine their position and direction without external cues, using internal sensors. His work revolutionized navigation technology, making it more accurate and reliable, especially in environments where GPS signals are unavailable. Draper was also a key figure in advances in aerospace engineering and contributed to the development of guidance systems critical to space exploration and military applications. His innovations continue to impact modern navigation and aerospace technology.