Baroque portraits and quantum physics – Roy T. Eddleman saw no contradiction between the two. The California businessman harboured a lifelong fascination with scientific research and history. Eddleman’s entrepreneurial success was driven by intellectual curiosity and a passion for science. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill but left before completing his degree, opting instead to move to Los Angeles. There, he began selling laboratory equipment and later joined Calbiochem. In 1970, at just 30 years old, he founded his first company, Spectrum Inc., which quickly rose to prominence as a leading manufacturer of hollow fibre and tubular membranes for the pharmaceutical industry. Over the years, Eddleman launched eight other companies and received numerous patents for innovative products and processes.

Throughout his life, Eddleman gave generously to scientific research and academic institutions. During the AIDS crisis, he co-founded Labor Day LA to support those affected by the disease, while his later years saw him focus on what he viewed as the future-critical field of quantum research. The entrepreneur, who died at his home in Beverly Hills in 2022 at the age of 82, cultivated a wide circle of friends and earned a stellar reputation as a host. His legendary parties, often involving surprise private flights, left a lasting impression; his generosity knew no bounds.

All proceeds from the sale of Eddleman’s estate will benefit the Eddleman Quantum Institute, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing science and technology through quantum research.