Prize for Bright Ideas Offered

By Jacqueline L. Urgo, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Apr. 17–In honor of the Philadelphian who founded the local firms Braun Labs and Decor Bulbs Inc., the Honolulu-based Pacific Telecommunications Council has created an award to be presented to an outstanding telecommunications and information technology student.

The O.S. Braunstein Prize — which will total $1,700 and include a $500 cash award, registration, and up to $1,000 for travel and accommodations at the annual PTC conference in Honolulu from Jan. 13 to 16 — will be given to a student whose research paper is recognized for excellence in the field of telecommunications.

The PTC looks for prize winners, mostly graduate students, who may be working on research projects that that will bring “fresh minds with new ideas” to global telecommunications issues, said PTC senior adviser Mark Hukill.

A photographer, chemist and entrepreneur, Oscar Samuel Braunstein was best known for his two Philadelphia-based businesses, Braun Labs and Decor Bulbs. Decor Bulbs produced the “Flicker Flame” bulb, a technology still in demand.

Born in 1909, Braunstein achieved early success as a photographer when he began snapping shots of international icons such as Albert Einstein.

Information about the prize will be available in late April at www.ptc.org or by calling PTC at 808-941-3789.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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