Lonnie George Johnson was born in Mobile, Alabama, into a family with a strong emphasis on education and resourcefulness. From a young age, he displayed a natural curiosity and aptitude for building and inventing, often taking apart and reassembling toys and appliances, laying the foundation for his future engineering career.

Growing up in a segregated South, Johnson's access to formal resources was limited, but his creativity was boundless. As a teenager, he built a go-kart out of scrap metal and even constructed a pressurized water-powered rocket launch system, demonstrating early mastery of physics and engineering principles. Notably, he created 'The Linex,' a remote-controlled robot, which earned him first place at a science fair, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination.

Johnson attended Tuskegee University, a historically Black university renowned for its engineering program. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering. This rigorous academic training provided him with a solid theoretical and practical foundation for his future work in aerospace and invention.

After graduation, Johnson served as an engineer in the U.S. Air Force, where he worked on the stealth bomber program. He then joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. At JPL, he worked on the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Cassini mission to Saturn, contributing to cutting-edge research in space exploration. His role involved developing advanced power systems for spacecraft.

While working on an experimental heat pump using water instead of Freon, Johnson connected a nozzle to his bathroom sink. He noticed the powerful stream of water that resulted and realized the potential for a high-performance water gun. This serendipitous event marked the beginning of his journey towards creating the Super Soaker.

After years of development and pitching the idea to toy companies, Johnson's invention, originally called the 'Power Drencher,' was licensed by Larami Corporation (later acquired by Hasbro). It was rebranded as the 'Super Soaker' and launched in 1989. The Super Soaker quickly became a massive success, revolutionizing the water gun market and becoming one of the best-selling toys of all time.

Following the success of the Super Soaker, Johnson continued to invent and develop new technologies. He founded his own company, Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc., focusing on advanced energy technology, including the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Converter (JTEC), aimed at converting heat directly into electricity. He also pursued other inventions and continued to seek licensing opportunities for his innovations.

Lonnie Johnson continues to work as an inventor and entrepreneur, focusing on energy technology and other innovative solutions. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to engineering and invention, including induction into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. Johnson remains an inspiration to aspiring inventors and a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance.