97-Year-Old Man Becomes Oldest Nobel Prize Winner
John B. Goodenough just became the oldest person to win the Nobel Prize. The 97-year-old won the award along with Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino for their contributions to the development of lithium-ion batteries, CNN reports. He did this at the University of Oxford while he was the head of the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. He now works at the University of Texas at Austin.
“Live to 91, and you can do anything,” Goodenough said. “I’m honored and humbled to win the Nobel Prize. I thank all my friends for the support and assistance throughout my life.”
When talking about the invention, the Nobel Foundation explains, “Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized our lives since they first entered the market in 1991. They have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil-fuel-free society, and are of the greatest benefits to humankind.”
The previous record holder was Arther Ashkin, who won the award at 96.
