Final answer:
Valerie Thomas was inspired to experiment with an illusion transmitter in 1977 after being involved in a small experiment at the University of California, Berkeley. Her professor asked her to analyze radiation from a radio telescope for any coded messages. This experience led her to develop an interest in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Valerie Thomas was inspired to begin experimenting on an illusion transmitter in 1977 due to her involvement in a small experiment at the University of California, Berkeley. Her professor asked her to siphon off a bit of radiation from a radio telescope and search for an intelligently coded radio message buried in the radio noise. Her engineering and computer programming skills became essential to the project, sparking her interest in the search for life elsewhere.