Harvey Nathanson, an electrical engineer who rose to become chief scientist for Westinghouse Research Labs and developed a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) device that became the forerunner of technology used today in smartphones, airbags, video game controllers and other devices, died Friday at his Squirrel Hill home at age 83.

“He was a technology superstar,” said Karen Lightman, executive director of the MEMS Industry Group at Carnegie Mellon University, a nonprofit association which promotes the technology and commercialization of MEMS.

Ms. Lightman met Mr. Nathanson as the MEMS group was coming together in 2000 and he quickly became a mentor for her.

While others have combined miniaturized mechanical and electrical elements to develop or improve products we use every day, she said, it was Mr. Nathanson who was first to envision its potential.

“He was the one who showed the path.”

Mr. Nathanson developed an interest in electrical circuits as a teenager, leading him to decline his father’s invitation to continue the family’s pharmacy business in Stanton Heights and instead enroll at Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon University, where he majored in electrical engineering and ultimately earned his Ph.D.

While a student, he spent summers working at Westinghouse then joined the Churchill-based lab full-time after he graduated in 1962.

In 1965, the Pittsburgh native and two colleagues, lab technician Robert Wickstrom and manager William Newell, developed the microscopic device that worked as a tuner for microelectronic radios, which led to the development of a component now used in automobible engine diagnostics and anti-rollover technology as well as smartphones.

He also later developed a way to mass produce the devices.

In all, Mr. Nathanson held more than 50 patents related to solid-state electronics, including one filed in 1973 that uses tiny mirrors to create a video display for digital projectors.

Mr. Nathanson was named chief scientist at Westinghouse Research Labs in 1988, a post he held until his retirement in 2001. He then continued for another 10 years as a consultant for Westinghouse Defense Systems' successor, Northrop Grumman.

In 2000, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers honored Mr. Nathanson with the Millennium Medal for his work.

Mr. Nathanson is survived by Esther Mishelevich Nathanson of Squirrel Hill, his wife of 56 years, son Marc Nathanson of New York City and daughter Elinor Nathanson of the South Side and one grandson.

Interment was at Beth Shalom Cemetery in Shaler.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15217.

Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. in Shadyside was in charge of arrangements.

First Published: November 27, 2019, 5:13 a.m.