O.S. Braunstein Prize Award (Best Student research paper)

The O.S. Braunstein award memorializes PTC's existing student research prize which has been awarded by PTC for many years. It will be funded for the next five years (beginning in 2008) by Yale Braunstein, a long-time PTC member and son of the late O.S. Braunstein, on behalf of his family. The prize is valued at over $1700 and includes a $500 cash award, conference registration, and up to $1,000 for travel and accommodations to present at the PTC'09 conference to be held January 18 – 21, 2009 in Honolulu.

Oscar Samuel (O.S.) Braunstein, a photographer, chemist and entrepreneur may be best known for his successful Philadelphia-based businesses, Braun Labs and Décor Bulbs, Inc., which produced the famous "Flicker Flame". Born in Philadelphia on October 17, 1909, he was one of four sons of Russian Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. His father is a tailor who later owned his men's clothing manufacturing operations in Philadelphia and Allentown.

O.S. Braunstein became a professional photographer whose work was published when he snapped photos of international icons such as Albert Einstein. He later became a chemist, by way of an apprenticeship, and combined his two interests by launching Braun Labs which manufactured photographic chemicals for commercial labs and amateur photographers.

He married Betty E. Seidman of Philadelphia and had two children, Yale M. Braunstein and Hetty Jane Braunstein Dorn. In 1962, he started manufacturing and distributing decorative light bulbs. Long before the concept of "virtual corporations" or globalization became popular, he created an international network of small business to manufacture and distribute light bulbs and electrical parts throughout Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Australia, and the U.S. This was accomplished with the help of Pan American World Airways' trade promoters. O.S. Braunstein passed away on February 12, 1984, leaving a legacy of innovation, education and entrepreneurism.

Winner for this award will receive:

• A cash award of US$500 and a certificate
• Conference registration waiver
• Up to US$1,000 for travel and accommodations
• A speaking opportunity to present the paper in an appropriate session at PTC'09 conference.