With several of his inventions on display in the Smithsonian Institute, 67 patents to his name, and over 100 inventions, Ben Kleinerman, 91, radiates electrifying enthusiasm for improving the lives of others through his creative brainstorms -- from the quirky to the essential.
If there is one thing Ben Kleinerman is proud of, it's his unique role in Israel's victory in the 1967 Six-Day War.
He was the principal engineer and Program Manager of the KA-56 camera at Fairchild Camera Corp. at the time, and they had just developed a brand new technology. In the underbelly of a fighter plane, this special panoramic camera was equipped with their novel infrared-enabled Poromat film. An ingenious device, the advantage of this camera and its unique film was that fighter jets could do surveillance and reconnaissance missions, capturing images of the territory beneath them, instantly develop those pictures while still in the air, and then turn around and strike with amazing accuracy. Prior to the KA56, the reconnaissance plane had to first land and then develop the film, giving the enemy time to re-order the airfield, replacing decoys in the positions of the real metal planes.
The State of Israel sat in agonizing uncertainty, surrounded by seven countries whose military power far outweighed the skimpy Israeli Defense Forces.
The State of Israel sat in agonizing uncertainty, surrounded by seven countries whose military power far outweighed the skimpy Israeli Defense Forces. Brigadier General Mordecai Hod, Commander-in-Chief of the Israeli Air Force, commandeered Kleinerman's specialized camera, the KA56
The Egyptian air force was readying itself for battle, with some planes and hundreds of decoys made out of paper mache and wood stretched out on the tarmac. Israeli jets flew stealthily above, snapping infrared-sensitive pictures with their newly outfitted cameras, and within minutes correctly bombing with the short supply of bombs that they had.
The successful air strike crippled the Egyptian army and was a decisive factor in Israel's miraculous victory. Five days later, the war was over.
"After the war, General Hod came to the United States, to our offices, to personally thank us later on," Ben reminisces, "But I was already in Texas, working on the Mars Orbiter and Voyager, so I wasn't there to get his thanks in person."
FORERUNNERS
Ben invented the forerunner of today's electric toothbrush -- only critics said it was the most ridiculous and useless thing they'd ever seen! If you remember the inconvenient days of single-use flashbulbs, you can thank Ben Kleinerman for putting you out of your photographic misery. He produced the first rechargeable flashbulb, the technology as used today.
Ben also invented a precursor for today's mega-million success story, Skype.
Ben also invented a precursor for today's mega-million success story, Skype; Telescan is a conventional telephone with a screen that allows you to watch your buddy shmooze with you. But again, the idea was shot down as rubbish by everyone except perhaps some fire and police departments and a few banks, who thought they might rustle up a small use for it.
"One day I got a letter from the Smithsonian Institute. They said they wanted me to send them some of my prototypes to display and they sent me some empty boxes to pack them into. We packed up some of my inventions, drove down, and the people at the Smithsonian were very nice and hospitable."
His works are still there. There's the TransiTape, the world's first fully portable, battery operated, all-transistor, 2-speed tape recorder. TransiTape was selected as one of the greatest inventions of the past 50 years and was exhibited at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in NYC, sharing the spotlight with period greats such as the Washing Machine, Wonder Bread, and FDR, honored for Social Security.
The Cinesone is another classic, taking the technology of home-movie reels to new heights by giving it a voice. Before the Cinesone emerged on the scene, silent movies were the order of the day. Now, voice could accompany the moving picture, a radical and welcome upgrade. The Cinesone's debut model was Ben's oldest daughter, Kay, whose first birthday party is eternally preserved and on view at the Smithsonian Institute for visitors to marvel at -- a 400-foot, 16 mm tape reel filled with ten minutes of birthday scenery, Mankind's first ever audio-visual home presentation!
In 1964, he created an EKG machine so lightweight and portable that it was the size of a king pack of cigarettes, effectively replacing the bulky machines carried by doctors who made home visits, as was the style of the day.
The Cardio-Sensor didn't give a printable readout; instead, it was a cardiograph which allowed doctors to interpret a patient's PQRST heartbeat curve to quickly diagnose a problem. When the Cardio-Sensor device hit the market, the Cities of New York and Atlanta immediately purchased hundreds. In the shadow of the Cold War, city officials, worried about a Russian nuclear attack, wanted to be prepared for the grisly prospect of doctors arriving on the scene of catastrophe, urgently needing to differentiate between victims who were still alive and those who had already died.
WITH GENERALS CLARK AND EISENHOWER
Eastman Kodak worked with him to develop a patent that would make magnetic soundtracks unalterable, thereby preventing nefarious re-recordings. "While John F. Kennedy was in office, we took a speech of his, recorded it as magnetic sound on 16mm film. Kennedy had said, 'We will never bomb and attack Cuba.' The way the magnetic soundtrack works, it was very easy for someone to change his words to say, 'We will bomb and attack Cuba.' The apparatus detected the erased word 'never. We showed the world what could happen."
Next time you watch the Weather Channel, you'll see another Ben Kleinerman original, "The Green Screen," built by Federal Manufacturing and Engineering for CBS as a background projection system.
Ben also worked for years in the thrust and tailwind of World War II as personal field photographer of Generals Clark and Eisenhower, following them around Italy and Austria and capturing the minutiae of their lives. He rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous in his capacity as army photographer, an insider at all diplomatic events.
"I worked with Eisenhower. We went to see Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Austria."
"I was assigned to General Clark for almost four years and I was with him every day of the week. And while Clark was away, I worked with Eisenhower. We went to see Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Austria."
While courting his wife, Ben brought her to the Pentagon to see his handiwork; she was duly impressed. They were shown thousands of official photos take by Ben. In the circular room there was a selection of larger photos. Along with Joe Rosenthal's famous photo of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, there was Ben's photo of Hitler's Coffee Table at the Eagle's Nest being signed by General Eisenhower and seven other generals.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Life hasn't been easy for Ben Kleinerman. In 1981, he was stricken with Guillain Barre disease, similar in nature to polio. While many victims die from the illness, Ben's lungs were not affected but he experienced total paralysis and could only move his eyelid. For seven months, he didn't move and he communicated with his family through his left eyelid. But he never complained.
Ben's son, Gavriel (Gil) built a piezo-electric device – a pressure-sensitive pointer that enabled Ben to signal once his left thumb began functioning -- which the hospital permitted for Ben's use. (Ben's dependence on oxygen meant no spark-producing devices allowed.)
Ben made a substantial recovery and hasn't looked back since his illness. His prolific patents, though nurtured with plenty of love and effort, pale in comparison to his true love -- his three children, Kay, Gavriel, and Janie, and his wife of 63 years, Margery, who shares his passion for inventions.
"I've always tried to get my wife involved in my inventing -- so many things are her ideas. She gives me a lot of inspiration."
Ben feels he has truly made his mark on the world and takes great pleasure in his work, especially in the inexplicable brilliance of Divine Providence that can only be detected many years later. Case in point: Ben's son Gavriel, Executive Vice President of Aish HaTorah, Jerusalem, sits in an office that overlooks the Western Wall that was liberated in 1967 with the help of his father's technology.
(19) Stuart Kalishman, March 5, 2010 12:23 AM
World lost a great man on March 3rd 2010
Ben passed away on March 3rd 2010. His inventions will live on but the world lost a great man and I a good friend. It was a privilege to of known him personally. Stu Kalishman
(18) Bill Tyrrel, February 20, 2010 4:46 AM
In the early 1960's, as Manager of Field Service at Fairchild Space and Defense, I had many occasions to visit Ben in his Engineering Department office. What a regular guy! He always made me feel welcome to just drop in and chat. This article and partial list of his accomplishments put me in awe. I had no idea he did all that. But he was the go-to guy to get the right answer to any question, technical or otherwise. Thanks Ben!
(17) , December 11, 2009 6:57 AM
This story is amazing. I have known the Kleinermans for about 50 years, and although I knew Ben was a great inventor, I never knew the extent of all his achievements. I am honored to say I know him and only have the highest respect for him.
(16) Christina, March 1, 2009 11:51 PM
What a privilege it is to know a person like Mr. & Mrs. Kleinerman. Since the first day i've been learning more & more. Thanks and God bless you!
(15) Aviva, December 10, 2008 4:07 PM
Intellect that impresses
Such amazing creativity is surely a gift from Hashem. When a person uses his talent to benefit mankind and protect Eretz Yisroel and Klal Yisroel he is a Hero and a light unto the nations.
(14) Anonymous, December 10, 2008 1:41 PM
what a cool story!
(13) Beverly Kurtin, December 10, 2008 1:35 PM
Look, ma, no burnt fingers
I had no idea who had invented the rechargeable strobe. At last the Zero and number 5 flash bulbs were gone along with the ointment I used to have to schlep along when I took pictures. Every now and then I am asked "What have the Jews ever done for mankind," it is such a pleasure to name people like Jonas Salk, Ben Kleinerman, and the scores of other Jewish scientists and physicists like Albert Einstein. HaShem told Abraham Avenu that the people of the world would blessed by his ancestors. Little does the world know what is owed to men like Mr. Kleinerman, or is it Dr. Kleinerman? For the tens of thousands of photographers who no longer burn their fingers, thanks, Ben! I worked in photography for several years, what a thrill it was to take some of the first talking home movies in the super 8 format with the magnetic tape running down the side. Another Jewish inventor, Land, made "instant" photography possible. I sold the first package of Polaroid Color film in Connecticut. Wow, the things people like Kleinerman and Edwin Land have given the world...and the world remains relatively ignorant of what we have done for the world.
(12) ahuva, December 9, 2008 3:26 AM
an amazing article
very well written and displayed. we're very proud of you, saba kleinerman! love baruch yosef and ahuva kleinerman
(11) MORRIS SOLED MD, December 8, 2008 3:59 PM
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
HIS CREATIVITY RESULTS FROM LOVING PARENTS AND ROLE MODELS...NO RIDICULE, SMACKS or EMBARRASSMENT FROM ELDERS. USE THIS TO TEACH PARENTS . CURIOUSITY IS A GIFT TO BE NOURISHED IN CHILDHOOD. RETIRED INTERNIST, AGE 82.
(10) Bart Strittmatter, December 8, 2008 2:11 PM
infrared In For Red
A parable in the word "infrared" shows the covenant of G-d. The 6 day war proved to the world and G-d's people it was the time to go home to the land that was promised. When we see things G-d's way, we will know His will and see the enemies of His people. G-d had a blood covenant to Abraham --- blood is red. Even when the gift to make a camera, an "In For Red" camera, was given to G-d's chosen servant. Israel! the number of man is 6. It was 6 day war. G-d used a camera with a name to remind you. You are home and His word is true. You are home because of the covenant. You are in Israel today because your for "In For Red", a Covenant reminder.
(9) Bart Strittmatter, December 8, 2008 1:49 PM
A vessel open on both ends
As G-d has given His talents into the hearts and hands to build the temple it is such a joy to see G-d is the same yesterday, today and forever. Honoring a man who knew his gifting was His gift to him is a good thing. I am going to talk with G-d more.
(8) Tony, December 8, 2008 12:15 AM
A hero of Israel & Freedom
What a great story, how inspiring.
(7) Shraga Simmons, December 7, 2008 7:36 PM
Inspiration!
A beautifully written and researched article. What an amazing man and life!
(6) Pip, December 7, 2008 3:05 PM
Words fail me.
A fantastic record.
(5) Richard Glass, December 7, 2008 12:15 PM
Thanks
I enjoy this story. If the world could only know how much the people of God has given the world maybe they would look at things different. Stories like this inspire me.
(4) Gedalia Zweig, December 7, 2008 10:41 AM
amazing
Gavriel! Wow all those years I know you , didn't know you had such a famous Dad. May his story inspire all of us..
(3) Emeq, December 7, 2008 10:22 AM
Credit for a Great Humanitarian
I looked at the picture of Ben with general Clark and tears came to my eyes. Here is a man, Ben, whose inventions saved countless thousands of lives, and yet he was only a Staff Sergeant. The country he chose to serve didn't even think him worthy of promotion,, one has but to wonder why. From one Staff Sergeant to another: Thank you Ben for your life saving efforts, YOU are to be remembered among heroes. May the Creator of us all continue to remember and hold up your family with wisdom and knowledge in their furtherance of helping all of mankind. Emeq
(2) hERMAN mARCUS, December 7, 2008 9:17 AM
HE IS AVERY SMART MAN I WISH MY BRAINS WOULD BE THAT SMART I ADMIRE HIM HE SHOULD LIVE TO A 120 TELL HIM TO KEEP HEALTHY
(1) Roger Starnes, December 7, 2008 8:58 AM
Great Story - I never knew about Ben.
Thank you,