The Lancaster Science Factory recently installed eight new plaques in its Hall of Heroes. The new plaques profile iconic black scientists. Local artist Dick Whitson not only designed these new additions, but he has designed all 45 plaques added to the Hall of Heroes over the past 13 years.

The Hall of Heroes was founded in 2008 to showcase real people who did extraordinary things in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics and whose efforts have changed society in powerful and positive ways. By commemorating them, the Science Factory hopes to inspire and motivate young people throughout the Lancaster County area. To celebrate the expansion of the Hall of Heroes, a fun and educational scavenger hunt has been created as a way for visitors of all ages to explore the accomplishments of each of the inductees.

The Lancaster Science Factory collaborated with Whitson to design all the plaques in the Hall of Heroes, bringing each hero to life with visual collages and mini biographies. Featured individuals include inventors, medical doctors, astronauts, scientists, architects, and engineers. People celebrated on the eight new plaques include physicist Shirley Jackson, chemist James Harris, and mathematician Gladys West.

Each plaque is made possible by donations to the Science Factory, and the Hall of Heroes itself is sponsored by Shank's Extracts.

Since moving to Lancaster 57 years ago, Whitson has been involved with projects for numerous organizations, including designing sets for the Fulton Theatre. Whitson retired from Armstrong as creative director of advertising design services in 1995. His artwork spans oils, watercolors, and graphic design, and it is displayed at Red Raven Art Company and the Lancaster Museum of Art. Whitson knew from a young age that he wanted to paint, and now, eight decades later, his body of work includes over 2,000 paintings and illustrations.