Unknown but incredibly important inventors

Shane Greenstein asks me for examples of:

…unknown inventors whose work greatly benefited society and who deserve more recognition.  Ask for nominations! 

…And I will start with nominating Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby, the inventors of the microchip.  I do not know a school boy who has ever heard of them, but everyone uses their invention.

Comments are, of course, open.  How about Fred Soper?