The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States on America's leading innovators. There were 5 laureates in the 1999 class.
Glen Culler
Culler Scientific Systems Corporation
For pioneering innovations in multiple branches of computing, including early efforts in digital speech processing, invention of the first on-line system for interactive graphical mathematics computing and pioneering work on the ARPAnet.
Raymond Kurzweil
Kurzweil Technologies, Inc.
For pioneering and innovative achievements in computer science such as voice recognition, which have overcome many barriers and enriched the lives of disabled persons and all Americans.
Robert Swanson
(Posthumous Award), K&E Management, Ltd.
For his foresight and leadership in recognizing the commercial promise of recombinant DNA technology and his seminal role in the establishment and development of the biotechnology industry.
Xerox Corporation
For visionary leadership in the development of modern computing technology, including computer networks, the personal computer and the graphical user interface.
For creating the global market for laser bar code scanning and for technical innovation and practical application of mobile computing and wireless local area network technologies.