7 Tech Luminaries Who Died in 2012

1. Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon in 1969. Armstrong began his NASA career in his home state of Ohio, first serving as a naval aviator, then joining the NACA Lewis Research Center (now NASA Glenn) in Cleveland. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong, the commander of Apollo 11, along with Col. Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., commonly known as "Buzz," directed their lunar landing craft, the Eagle, to an area on the moon near the Sea of Tranquillity. Armstrong died in August 2012 at the age of 82. Image credit: Flickr, Greg Bishop

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In 2012, we lost several historical figures who contributed to some of the world's greatest advancements. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, passed away in August at the age of 82. And Sally Ride, the first woman in space, made incredible strides for NASA, as well as for women in STEM.

SEE ALSO: Neil Armstrong Took the Hardest Step for All of Us

This list highlights well-known people who have paved the way for others working in science and technology. They've not only impacted their professions, but also increased human understanding of the world we live in.

Image courtesy of Flickr, Valeria Gonzalez.-

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