--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was at the Jet Propulsion…" description: "\"When I was at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory back in the early '80s is when I first got the idea. The Super Soaker was based on some engineering princip..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60c/lonnie-johnson-16185_back_when-i-was-at-the-jet-propulsion-laborat_2684770.jpg" --- # When I was at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory back in the… ![“When I was at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory back in the early '80s is when I first got the idea. The Super Soaker was based on some engineering principles that I applied. I was actually working on another invention which was a heat pump that would use water as a working fluid instead of Freon.” quote by Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60c/lonnie-johnson-16185_back_when-i-was-at-the-jet-propulsion-laborat_2684770.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60c/lonnie-johnson-16185_back_when-i-was-at-the-jet-propulsion-laborat_2684770.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60c/lonnie-johnson-16185_back_when-i-was-at-the-jet-propulsion-laborat_2684770.jpg) > “When I was at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory back in the early '80s is when I first got the idea. The Super Soaker was based on some engineering principles that I applied. I was actually working on another invention which was a heat pump that would use water as a working fluid instead of Freon.” [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Super Soaker originated from engineering principles applied to a heat pump concept, illustrating cross‑disciplinary innovation and repurposing ideas. **In simple terms:** A toy came from heat pump engineering. Key Takeaway Leverage cross‑field ideas for inventions. Themes innovation engineering cross‑disciplinary Mood inventive reflective Type technical educational When to use this quote - toy development - energy systems - research labs - patent filing Key Concepts physics product design Questions to Reflect On - What challenges arise when adapting tech to new uses? - How can engineers foster interdisciplinary thinking? A Different Perspective Ideas may not translate well across fields. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heat/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [It was because of the success of the Super Soaker, I was able to at least get an audience with people to present some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/it-was-because-of-the-success-of-the-super-soaker-i-was-able-to-at/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [The invention that most people know me for is the Super Soaker water gun. I knew the gun worked well, and I knew it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/the-invention-that-most-people-know-me-for-is-the-super-soaker-water/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [“I threw my Super Soaker in back and hopped in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-j-ware/i-threw-my-super-soaker-in-back-and-hopped-in/) [M.J. Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-j-ware/) > [Silver nitrate and water in a super soaker," he told her. "My own invention. Ought to be good at twenty feet, kind of like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/silver-nitrate-and-water-in-a-super-soaker-he-told-her-my-own/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [I gotta handle my business, I pay my mortgages first. When you cross a super-soaker I bet your water get burst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-ross/i-gotta-handle-my-business-i-pay-my-mortgages-first-when-you-cross-a/) [Rick Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-ross/) > [God spare me sclerosis of the curiosity, for the curiosity which craves to keep us informed about the small things no less than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mason-brown/god-spare-me-sclerosis-of-the-curiosity-for-the-curiosity-which/) [John Mason Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mason-brown/) > [The Air Corps . . . does not, at this time, feel justified in obligating . . . funds for basic jet propulsion research and experimentation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brett/the-air-corps-does-not-at-this-time-feel-justified-in-obligating/) [George Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brett/) > [For the first time I was flying by jet propulsion. No engine vibrations. No torque and no lashing sound of the propeller. Accompanied by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-galland/for-the-first-time-i-was-flying-by-jet-propulsion-no-engine/) [Adolf Galland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-galland/) > [I'd like to get shot into space. I'd like to potentially visit the moon. I don't know if I can do that in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-dyrdek/i-d-like-to-get-shot-into-space-i-d-like-to-potentially-visit-the/) [Rob Dyrdek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-dyrdek/) > [The very first experiments with building rockets and firing them off were carried out by students at Cal Tech in 1937, '38 and '39.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-very-first-experiments-with-building-rockets-and-firing-them-off/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“GrowOrganic.com and buy a “Mr. Soaker Hose”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-josephine/groworganic-com-and-buy-a-mr-soaker-hose/) Emily Josephine > [“What's with the super soaker?" -Stephine "I had a stork of genius when you called me this morning I said what do I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/what-s-with-the-super-soaker-stephine-i-had-a-stork-of-genius-when/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [I have a science YouTube channel where I will sometimes use my engineering skills to build things such as the world's largest Super Soaker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rober/i-have-a-science-youtube-channel-where-i-will-sometimes-use-my/) [Mark Rober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rober/) > [Now bring that drama that you spokin', nigga. Ain't no water drippin' out this super soaker, nigga.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-ross/now-bring-that-drama-that-you-spokin-nigga-ain-t-no-water-drippin-out/) [Rick Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-ross/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) ## More by Lonnie Johnson > [More and more, other countries are able to manufacture things cheaper, beating us in the marketplace in a lot of ways. So we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/more-and-more-other-countries-are-able-to-manufacture-things-cheaper/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [Lady Luck is indifferent. She smiles sometimes, and she frowns sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/lady-luck-is-indifferent-she-smiles-sometimes-and-she-frowns-sometimes/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [The invention that most people know me for is the Super Soaker water gun. I knew the gun worked well, and I knew it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/the-invention-that-most-people-know-me-for-is-the-super-soaker-water/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [It was because of the success of the Super Soaker, I was able to at least get an audience with people to present some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/it-was-because-of-the-success-of-the-super-soaker-i-was-able-to-at/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [Large companies can afford to file patents on every idea they have. Small companies, we have to weigh our options, do the research. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/large-companies-can-afford-to-file-patents-on-every-idea-they-have/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I have a collection of SuperSoakers. I have managed to keep most of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-have-a-collection-of-supersoakers-i-have-managed-to-keep-most-of/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I can remember times when we'd be having parties, and people would be dancing and everything and I would be sitting there in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-can-remember-times-when-we-d-be-having-parties-and-people-would-be/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [Being an independent inventor is tough. You develop a product, patent it, then you're looking for someone who will see the benefit from this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/being-an-independent-inventor-is-tough-you-develop-a-product-patent/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I didn't want to grow old and find that I didn't do what I could have done, that I didn't put my best foot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-didn-t-want-to-grow-old-and-find-that-i-didn-t-do-what-i-could-have/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I consider myself a general practitioner. I do electronic things. I do toys and water things, mechanical stuff. I'm very, very flexible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-consider-myself-a-general-practitioner-i-do-electronic-things-i-do/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [Peer review is fine, as long as you're making incremental improvements to a technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/peer-review-is-fine-as-long-as-you-re-making-incremental-improvements/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I decided I could develop a toy and get some revenue from that and then use that revenue to really become an inventor and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-decided-i-could-develop-a-toy-and-get-some-revenue-from-that-and/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I wound up getting offered a job at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory where I invented a power supply mechanism for the Galileo space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-wound-up-getting-offered-a-job-at-the-nasa-jet-propulsion/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [I've invented a new type of engine that converts heat directly into electricity with no moving mechanical parts. It's called the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/i-ve-invented-a-new-type-of-engine-that-converts-heat-directly-into/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) > [Especially when you have a lot of technology you're developing as a small company, trying to protect that technology is a real problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonnie-johnson/especially-when-you-have-a-lot-of-technology-you-re-developing-as-a/) [Lonnie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) [Explore all 40 Lonnie Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonnie-johnson/) ## More Back quotes > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. 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So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I wish that I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product. Then I probably wouldn't have found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/i-wish-that-i-had-known-back-then-that-a-mastery-of-process-would/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wallace/it-s-what-the-people-wanted-at-the-time-but-the-country-could-not-be/) [George Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wallace/) > [I've always stuck my arms behind my back anyway when trying to block a shot in the penalty area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/i-ve-always-stuck-my-arms-behind-my-back-anyway-when-trying-to-block/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [I'm sure at some point I will get back into coaching, but right now I need to focus completely on my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/i-m-sure-at-some-point-i-will-get-back-into-coaching-but-right-now-i/) [Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/) > [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Back in the really olden days, dinner was seldom a ceremonial event for U.S. families. Only the very wealthy had a separate dining room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/back-in-the-really-olden-days-dinner-was-seldom-a-ceremonial-event/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [We're all painfully aware of how suddenly violence can occur, how crippling it is, and how survivors have to find a way back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-re-all-painfully-aware-of-how-suddenly-violence-can-occur-how/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [Ronaldo is just an athlete. He works so hard and back to back; he is always there. But if you work hard, can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-davids/ronaldo-is-just-an-athlete-he-works-so-hard-and-back-to-back-he-is/) [Edgar Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-davids/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. 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