Duane D. Pearsall’s invention of the battery-operated smoke detector is recognized by fire protection experts as one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. Combined with Pearsall’s advocacy via the National Fire Protection Association, the "SmokeGard 700" led to changes in national building codes; these have prevented countless deaths since the 1970’s.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford honored Pearsall as Small Businessman of the Year for his invention and subsequent work in the field. Further, as a founding member of WPI's Fire Protection Engineering Program, Pearsall earned an honorary PhD from the school in 1996.