Driskell, Thomas

1928 - 2021

Thomas David Driskell, passed away at age 92 on July 15, 2021. Tom was born on August 18, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio to Thomas Edgar Driskell and Eleanor Kauffman Driskell. Surviving Tom are his loving wife of 39 years, Judith Kingman Driskell; and daughters, Annetta Driskell, Ellen Driskell Trager (Mark) and Claudia Blake (Daniel); and son, Eric Driskell (Wendy). Tom was an entrepreneur and gifted inventor who

influenced many fields including aviation, medicine, lighting design and implant dentistry. He led the design and development of the Faa-standard VASI system (Visual Approach Slope Indicator), which is still used in airports around the world. He developed high-output lamps that were used to light many structures including the Empire State Building, the Guggenheim Museum and the Panama Canal. Tom also designed

and constructed the first heart-lung machine in Central Ohio, which was used to treat over 600 patients. He designed and produced

the first free-standing dental implants (now known as Bicon implants), as well as a synthetic bone grafting material, Synthograft. Tom also published the

first paper on zirconia, which has become a widely used dental material. Tom received two coveted I-R 100 awards (known as “the

Nobel Prize for technology”), one for Synthograft in 1982 and one for the development of an infant respirator in 1973. Tom was an avid sportsman, supportive mentor and a beloved friend, husband, father and grandfather. He shall be greatly missed.