Oscar H. Banker (born Asatour Sarafian; May 31, 1895 [1]– January 1979) was an Armenian American inventor who patented a number of works, including an automatic transmission for automobiles, the needleless inoculation gun, the primary controls of the first Sikorsky helicopter, and power steering.

[5] After his arrival in Ellis Island and subsequent settlement, Asatour Sarafian took up the name Oscar Banker and began working for a shop that specialized in machinery.

[4] After battling for eight years with automobile engineering companies, Banker's proposition was accepted and his automatic transmission was adopted by General Motors.

Banker's wife heard on the television that military surgeon Dr. Robert Hingson suggested such a mechanism, and she told her husband.

[5][11] Bob Hull has published Oscar H. Banker's memoirs titled Dreams and Wars of an American Inventor: An Immigrant's Romance in 1983.

[12] In his memoirs Banker writes: "America is yet the greatest country existing for opportunity, for achievement and if a person can endure the hardships, ridicule, rebuffs, whatever and keep on going!