Barney Oliver (1916-1995) was an American scientist and inventor known for his contributions to the fields of electrical engineering and telecommunications. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho, and earned a Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology. Oliver joined the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in 1946 and became director of its electronics laboratory in 1955. During his tenure at SRI, he played a central role in the development of many cutting-edge technologies, including microwave electronics, semiconductor devices, and satellite communication systems. Furthermore, Oliver was a key figure in the formation of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program and advocated for the use of radio telescopes to detect signals from other civilizations. He held several patents and received numerous awards for his work, including the National Medal of Science. Barney Oliver was widely regarded as a brilliant scientist and visionary, whose contributions to science and technology continue to have an impact on various fields to this day.