We're in the middle of counting down the top 10 biggest and most influential stories of 2014 on Blind Bargains. This year's panel included Jeff Bishop, J.J. Meddaugh, Jamie Pauls, Alena Roberts, and Joe Steinkamp. Let's turn to Joe for his take on our number 6 story, which involves a 12-year-old wiz kid.
When you think about Legos your mind may jump to the pain in your feet from walking on a few small, and sharp, pieces of the famous building blocks after a day's play with your kids. If you are younger, however, Lego means more than just connecting bricks to make chunky skyscrapers and other structures. Many know Lego through its Mindstorm series of playsets which inspire those who use them to do more than just make fake houses out of Legos. Shubham Banerjee, a 12-year-old 7th grader influenced by the Mindstorm series, considered the needs of others and used the Lego sets to construct a Braille Embosser. What has followed for this young man over the course of 2014 is simply amazing.
Initially, Mr. Banergee's story landed in the "feel good" news sections of many newspapers and chat shows at the beginning of the year. However, by November, his success with the low cost embosser had drawn the attention of Intel, who has aided him in the creation of Braigo Labs. Banerjee, now 13, will continue to improve his embosser and bring it to the market under the deal with Intel with a possible release date in 2015.
And this young designer's ability to transform a toy into what may become the affordable hardcopy Braille solution for the masses is the reason why he made number 6 on our countdown.
SeroTalk Podcast 188 features an interview with BuddyBannan and Shubham Banerjeefrom early 2014. Watch a youTube interview discussing more about the reasons for development. Good Morning America did an interview on the creation of Braigo Labs with Intel.
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J.J. Meddaugh is an experienced technology writer and computer enthusiast. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in telecommunications management and a minor in business. When not writing for Blind Bargains, he enjoys travel, playing the keyboard, and meeting new people.
