Alumnus recognized by Boeing for contributions to aerospace
Boeing has honored Paul R. Arntson, a materials, process and physics engineer, with the company’s annual Special Invention Award, highlighting the best of Boeing innovation.
Arntson is a 1994 graduate of Western Washington University's Electronics Engineering Technology program.
The Special Invention awards are given each year to individuals and teams who are inspired to create the kind of intellectual property that proves most valuable to Boeing and to the future of aerospace, according to a press release from the company. In 2011, 20 such inventions were recognized, most of which have been granted or are awaiting U.S. patents.
Arntson, 61, was part of a team that invented "Adaptive Thrust Sensor Drilling," recognized among thousands of Boeing inventions and amid hundreds nominated in 2011.
Arntson joined Boeing in 1987. In addition to his degree from Western, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in anthropology in 1973 and 1975 from Washington State University.