Peter M. Tolliver was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1927. His favorite subjects in school were math, the sciences, and history. He graduated from Fisk University with a degree in engineering physics.

       Tolliver holds several patents. One, a corona generating device with an improved built-in cleaning mechanism, is central to the operation of photocopiers and is assigned to Xerox Corporation. To photocopy an image, the surfaces of the photocopier drum and the copy paper must be positively charged. This is achieved by the corona wires which send a static electricity charge to the drum and paper. The result is that the original image is copied onto a clean sheet of paper.

       Another important invention by Tolliver is an infrared moisture gauge used by the paper industry. The quality of paper is determined by its moisture content. To measure the amount of moisture, infrared light beams are shined through the paper. Tolliver’s device shines parallel light beams providing a more accurate measurement.

       Among other devices Tolliver has patented are the following:

     Lateral view extender: yields a wider range of view for people with the visual problem known as Homonymous Hermianopsia

 

Lawn rake with debris pile capability: a lawn rake that can pick up a pile of leaves

 

LosPostre fishhook: a unique fishhook that Tolliver claims catches more fish   n