Don’t Forget That Other “FIRST” Guy

Noted inventor Dean Kamen is credited with being the founder of FIRST, but he didn’t do it alone.

Back in 1989 Kamen joined with MIT physics professor Woodie Flowers to start FIRST. Together they got the robotics competition off the ground in 1992, with the first year featuring only one event, held in a high school gym.

Today FIRST honors the contribution of Dr. Flowers by giving out the Woodie Flowers award to the team mentor who makes the most important contribution in each FIRST region.

Those regional winners are then considered for the Championship Woodie Flowers Award.