Michael Valentine, an electrical engineer who pioneered the high end radar detector industry, passed away on September 16 at the age of 74.
Valentine and his friend from college, Jim Jaeger started Cincinnati Microwave, which debuted the Escort detector in 1978. It is credited as the first high performance radar detector.
Valentine and Jaeger launched the company after disassembling the leading detector of the time, the Fuzzbuster, and finding that it hardly used any parts, leaving much room for improvement.
Eventually, Valentine and Jaeger parted ways, and Valentine went on to start the radar detector that bore his name, the Valentine One.
Car and Driver said, “… Mike’s products helped make our driving lives much better.” He also gave back to the Cincinnati community through several charities and created a fund for the UC engineering library that he frequented during the early days of Cincinnati Microwave.
See more at CarandDriver.
Rest in peace, Michael and thank you for your amazing contribution to our industry! I was proud to represent Escort for almost 18 years and I believe that we presented your products as you would’ve Approved. It saddens me that that our name was sold off like another commodity To investment bankers, who only sought to explore profitability. I will always be honored to be part of your dream
Well said.
Rest In Peace and Thank You
-From the outer ripples of the pond this Individual threw their stones at and forever changed the surface of.