Jon Edward Nalin who invented the Kindle
The Kindle is one of the great inventions of the 21st century. For the first time in history an entire library can be carried around in your pocket. You can acquire all the works of great authors like Twain, Verne, Tolstoy, Poe, etc. for less than 2 dollars. Reading books now includes access to a dictionary that can define rarely seen or outdated words, changing of font instantly so that with changing light or eyesight the books can still be read. Book marking phrases or sections for review or reference later. Instant access to sequels or other works by the same author.
Knowledge instantly made accessible. Knowledge instantly updated. School books today are outdated before the students even see them. The kindle now gives ensures the latest version, with the latest revisions is distributed instantly to all holders of the book. Further more the ability to offer similar books to customers expands the pool of available knowledge and reading to an unprecedented level.
When the Kindle was invented it was hoped it would be successful. Since other eReaders had been tried with little success, but like the iPod, and the Cell Phone, and the Windows operating system, eventually the different technologies all come together at the right time society was ready for it. This is the Kindle, the creation of a true eInk paper like display, combined with the right size and price of memory, combined with the Amazon storage and distribution network, creating the first portable, easy to use, library.
Little is known about Jon Edward Nalin including that few people know he invented the Kindle. Many attribute the invention of the Kindle to Jeff Bezos, and though it is obvious the Mr. Bezos is a very intelligent man, and he certainly paid for and described the requirements for the kindle, the actual work of inventing such a device went to an engineer with extraordinary talents and vision. This was Jon Edward Nalin. Perhaps some day more about Mr. Nalin with be available, his education, his life story, the story of his work to create the Kindle.
However we honor Mr Nalin as one of the unknown Saints of Science, thank you sir.
Yes, the electronic library will change the world. Good call for your first post, especially considering that when people think of an electronic library they think of the technology rather than the inventor. After all, like the New York City high-school students who believed that milk comes from stores, not cows, we too often think technology comes from stores, not inventors.
ReplyDeleteJon Edward Nalin is thus not only a man inadequately recognized for his work, his work is such that people forget anyone needs to be recognized.