Forrest M. Mims III is one of the most influential self-taught scientists and electronics writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. A prolific author, inventor, and citizen scientist, Mims has inspired millions through his accessible books, hands-on experiments, and groundbreaking amateur research—often without formal scientific credentials. His career spans electronics education, atmospheric monitoring, and technical publishing, marked by both remarkable achievements and a notable controversy in 1988 that many view as an early case of cancel culture.
Born in 1944 in Houston, Texas, Forrest Mims showed an extraordinary aptitude for invention from childhood. At age 13, he designed a new rocket control system; at 17, he built an analog computer capable of translating Russian into English, later acquired by the Smithsonian Institution. Mims attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in government and minors in English and history. He has no formal degree in science or engineering, making his contributions all the more remarkable. Largely self-taught in electronics, physics, and atmospheric science, Mims credits his success to relentless experimentation, practical problem-solving, and a lifelong passion for discovery.
After college, Mims served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era as an intelligence officer and later as a development engineer in the Laser Division at Phillips Laboratory. This experience honed his skills in electronics and instrumentation, which he applied to early projects like telemetry for model rockets. Upon leaving the Air Force, he co-founded Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) in 1969 with Ed Roberts. MITS initially produced model rocket telemetry kits but later pivoted to microcomputers, creating the Altair 8800 (1975)—the machine that launched the personal computer revolution and inspired Microsoft. Mims contributed to early designs and publications, including his 1969 booklet *Model Rocket Telemetry*.
Mims is one of the most prolific electronics authors ever, with over 65 books and booklets selling more than 7.5 million copies worldwide. His works are renowned for hand-drawn illustrations, clear explanations, and practical projects that make complex topics accessible to beginners and hobbyists. His most famous series is the *Engineer's Mini-Notebook* (also called "Circuit Scrapbook"), originally commissioned by Radio Shack in the 1970s–1980s. These slim volumes covered op-amps, timers, optoelectronics, digital circuits, and more, becoming bestsellers through Radio Shack stores.
His association with Radio Shack began in the 1970s when he wrote tutorial booklets and developed lab kits for the company. The most enduring title is *Getting Started in Electronics* (1983), with its comic-book-like style and over 1.3 million copies sold. It remains a classic for beginners. Other key works include:
Mims has also authored over 100 scientific papers on ecology, atmospheric science, and environmental monitoring, published in journals such as *Nature*, *Science*, and *Geophysical Research Letters*. He wrote columns for *Popular Electronics*, *Modern Electronics*, *Scientific American* (briefly), and *The Citizen Scientist* (editor since 2004).
Mims' self-taught expertise has led to significant contributions as a citizen scientist. Since 1989, he has conducted regular observations at his Geronimo Creek Observatory in Texas, monitoring ozone layer depletion, solar UV radiation, photosynthetic radiation, column water vapor, and aerosol optical thickness. His simple ozone instrument earned the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 1993. He co-led NASA's GLOBE program's haze project (1998–2006) and served as an air quality advisor for Guadalupe County, Texas. Mims has collaborated with professional scientists, published peer-reviewed papers, and invented atmospheric sensors used in NASA studies. *Discover* magazine named him one of the "50 Best Brains in Science" in 2008 for his prolific contributions.
In May 1988, Mims proposed taking over *Scientific American*'s "The Amateur Scientist" column after C.L. Stong's retirement. Editor Jonathan Piel was impressed by Mims' credentials and offered him the position after several meetings. During discussions, Mims disclosed his Christian faith, pro-life views on abortion, and belief in young-earth creationism (opposing Darwinian evolution). Piel withdrew the offer, citing concerns over the magazine's reputation and potential public relations issues if Mims' beliefs became known. Mims viewed this as discrimination against his religious beliefs, and the incident drew media attention, including articles in *The Washington Post* (1990) and *Christianity Today* (1990). Critics, including Martin Gardner (a former *Scientific American* columnist), defended the magazine, arguing Mims' creationism indicated flawed scientific thinking. Mims and supporters framed it as an early case of cancel culture, where personal beliefs overshadowed professional qualifications. Despite the setback, Mims continued his career undeterred, publishing extensively elsewhere.
At 81 (as of 2026), Forrest M. Mims III remains active, teaching, writing, and conducting research. His books have inspired millions to explore electronics and science, with the *Mini-Notebook* series still in print through Master Publishing. His story exemplifies the power of amateur science—proving that passion, self-education, and persistence can yield world-class results. The 1988 controversy highlighted tensions between science and personal beliefs, but Mims' resilience turned it into a chapter of his enduring legacy as a "maverick scientist."