Valerie L. Thomas is an esteemed American data scientist and inventor renowned for her pioneering contributions to technology. Born on February 8, 1943, Thomas's ingenuity led to her most notable invention, the illusion transmitter, for which she secured a patent in 1980. Her innovative spirit extended to her significant role in the development of digital media formats, vital for the image processing systems used in NASA's early Landsat program.

Before her rise to prominence, Thomas exhibited a fervent interest in science and technology, leading to a career where she pushed the boundaries of data science and visual systems. Her work at NASA not only marked a significant advancement in how we process and interpret data from space but also cemented her legacy as a trailblazer for women and minorities in the field of science and technology.