20 moments

1. Birth in Shanghai

   1933-11-04 · Shanghai, China

   

   Charles K. Kao was born in Shanghai, beginning a life that would lead to foundational work in optical-fibre communications.

2. Family settlement in Hong Kong

   1949-01-01 · North Point, Hong Kong

   Kao relocated with his family to Hong Kong after the Communist Revolution; the family lived on Lau Sin Street near North Point. Coordinates represent North Point, the neighbourhood where the article says the family lived.

3. St. Joseph's College graduation

   1952-01-01 · St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong

   Kao completed five years of study at St. Joseph's College during his Hong Kong schooling.

4. Move to London for further schooling

   1953-01-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

   Kao went to London to continue secondary studies, leading to his A-Level qualification in 1955. Source identifies London but not a particular school; coordinates represent central London.

5. Electrical-engineering degree at Woolwich Polytechnic

   1957-01-01 · Woolwich Polytechnic, London, England, United Kingdom

   Kao completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Woolwich Polytechnic. Coordinates represent Woolwich, the historic location of Woolwich Polytechnic.

6. Marriage in London

   1959-01-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

   Kao married fellow STC engineer Gwen Wong May-Wan in London. Source does not identify the marriage venue; coordinates represent central London.

7. Joins optical-communications research at STL

   1963-01-01 · Standard Telecommunication Laboratories, Harlow, England, United Kingdom

   

   At Standard Telecommunication Laboratories in Harlow, Kao entered the optical-communications research team and began investigating fibre attenuation. Coordinates represent the former STL research-site area on London Road, Harlow.

8. Japan fibre-optics trip

   1966-01-01 · Japan

   After his United States trip, Kao traveled to Japan and secured support for fibre-optics development. The source gives only the country and relative chronology; coordinates are a representative point for Japan.

9. Presents fibre-optics results to the IEE

   1966-01-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

   Kao publicly presented research proposing glass fibres for optical communication at an IEE meeting in London. Coordinates represent the Savoy Place area associated with the IEE; the article specifies London but not a venue.

10. United States fibre-optics trip

    1966-01-01 · United States

    Kao traveled to the United States in an early effort to gain industrial interest in optical communications research. The source gives only the country; coordinates are a representative point for the United States.

11. Founds CUHK electronics department

    1970-01-01 · Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

    

    Kao joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong to establish its Department of Electronics, later serving as reader and chair professor. Coordinates represent the CUHK main campus.

12. Presents land-reclamation study at ACU conference

    1972-01-01 · Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Kao presented an early study of the environmental effects of Hong Kong land reclamation at the Association of Commonwealth Universities conference. Source does not identify the conference venue; coordinates represent central Edinburgh.

13. ITT engineering work in Roanoke

    1974-01-01 · Roanoke, Virginia, United States

    

    Kao returned to ITT in the United States and worked in Roanoke, first as chief scientist and later as director of engineering. Source identifies Roanoke but not a specific ITT facility; coordinates represent the city.

14. ITT Executive Scientist posting

    1982-01-01 · Advanced Technology Center, Connecticut, United States

    Kao became ITT's first Executive Scientist and was stationed mainly at its Advanced Technology Center in Connecticut. The source specifies Connecticut but not the center's municipality; coordinates are a representative point for Connecticut.

15. SEL Research Center year

    1985-01-01 · SEL Research Center, West Germany

    Kao spent a year working at the SEL Research Center in West Germany. The article does not specify the research center's city; coordinates are a representative point for the former West Germany.

16. Vice-Chancellor of CUHK

    1987-01-01 · Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

    

    Kao began his vice-chancellorship at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a post he held through 1996. Coordinates represent the CUHK main campus.

17. Imperial College sabbatical

    1996-01-01 · Imperial College London, London, England, United Kingdom

    Following retirement from CUHK, Kao spent a six-month sabbatical at Imperial College London's Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

18. IEEE GLOBECOM keynote

    2002-01-01 · Taipei, Taiwan

    Kao delivered the keynote address at IEEE GLOBECOM 2002 in Taipei. Source identifies Taipei but not the conference venue; coordinates represent central Taipei.

19. Residence in Mountain View

    2008-01-01 · Mountain View, California, United States

    

    Kao moved from Hong Kong to Mountain View, California, to live near his children and grandchild. Coordinates represent Mountain View; the residence address is not stated.

20. Death at Bradbury Hospice

    2018-09-23 · Bradbury Hospice, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

    

    Kao died at Bradbury Hospice in Hong Kong at age 84. Coordinates represent Sha Tin, where Bradbury Hospice is located; the article does not provide the hospice's exact coordinates.