In establishing this prize, OSA sought to recognize the unique contributions to applied optics made by David Richardson. The award, endowed by Howard Cary, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to optical engineering, primarily in the commercial and industrial sector. David Richardson received the first award in 1966 for his distinctive contributions to the ruling and replicating of gratings.

Winners

2008	Kanti Jain
2007	James L. Fergason
2006	Gary S. Duck
2005	John R. Sandercock
2004	Chungte Bill Chen
2003	Roland V. Shack
2002	Arthur H. Guenther
2001	Huib Visser
2000	Achim Leistner
1999	Milan R. Kokta
1998	Yoshiharu Namba
1997	Brian Welham
1996	J.A. Dobrowolski
1995	Julian Stone
1994	David A. Markle
1993	John H. Bruning
1992	Ichiro Kitano
1991	Gary K. Starkweather
1990	Jean M. Bennett
1989	Erik W. Anthon
1988	Janusz S. Wilczynski
1987	John W. Evans
1986	John L. Plummer
1985	Norman J. Brown
1984	Erwin G. Loewen
1983	Harold Osterberg
1982	Charles A. Burrus Jr.
1981	Abe Offner
1980	William T. Plummer
	Richard F. Weeks
1979	William P. Ewald
1978	Thomas J. Johnson
1977	Walter P. Siegmund
1976	John H. McLeod
1975	Karl Lambrecht
1974	Roderic M. Scott
1972	William G. Fastie
1971	Frank Cooke
1970	Richard S. Hunter
1969	Howard Cary
1968	Harold E. Edgerton
1967	George A. Morton
1966	David Richardson