The impact of Sherwin Seligsohn’s legacy can be found in today’s consumer electronics around the world, from smartphones to TVs. His incredible vision for what the future of displays and wireless technology could accomplish supported scientific breakthroughs and transformation of devices that have become staples of modern life.
Sherwin’s journey began in high school, where his incredible desire to learn drove him to leave conventional schooling and set out on his own to pursue his interests, including the stock market. One day, while on the beach at the Jersey Shore, Sherwin envisioned a portable data machine that would allow someone to get real-time information and stock quotes, including from right there on the beach. This seed of inspiration grew at a time before the advent of cell phones. His pursuit and passion for wireless technology led Sherwin to form his first multi-billion-dollar company in 1972, International Mobile Machines Corporation (IMM), now known as InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC). In 1990, Sherwin stepped down as Chairman of IMM and began to look for his next venture.
After reading about novel research work by Drs. Stephen Forrest and Mark Thompson in self-emissive organic materials, Sherwin decided to explore this groundbreaking technology with a visit to the electrical engineering school at Princeton University. There, he observed an organic green dot light up for seconds before it expired. From that tiny green dot, Sherwin envisioned the future of display technology and founded Universal Display Corporation in June 1994. Fast forward to today, Universal Display has grown and evolved from an R&D start-up to a global leader in the OLED industry.
The Sherwin I. Seligsohn Innovation Award is a celebration of Sherwin’s imagination and dedication to advancing scientific discovery and business to make the ideas of tomorrow a reality.