Draper

Draper is a surname, a place name, and an historical occupational term. As a surname, it has been borne by several figures notable for contributions to science, engineering, and business, including John William Draper, Henry Draper, Charles Stark Draper, and Timothy C. Draper. John William Draper (1811–1882) was an American physician and early photographer, while Henry Draper (1837–1882) was an American physician and astronomer who left his name on the Henry Draper Catalogue of stars. Charles Stark Draper (1901–1982) was a pioneering engineer in instrumentation and navigation who founded the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. Timothy C. Draper (born 1958) is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and founder of Draper Associates and Draper University.

Draper Laboratory, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, traces its lineage to the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory and is named for Charles Stark Draper. The organization is associated with developing advanced sensors, guidance, and navigation technologies. The Charles Stark Draper Prize, named in his honor, is awarded by the National Academy of Engineering for notable engineering achievements.

Draper, Utah, is a city in Salt Lake County within the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. It has grown as a suburban community in the region surrounding the Wasatch Front. The term draper also refers to an occupation: a draper is a dealer in cloth and dress goods, a historical role in the textile and fashion trades.