In celebration of the grandmother of the computer, today I’m going to gush about a contemporary woman in technology: Leah Buechley.  

There are thousands of women out there who deserve recognition, but I’m picking Ms. Buechley’s work because she’s mixing high tech and “low” tech to make technology more accessible–both in terms of understand it and having access.  Plus, she’s a contemporary by two definitions: she’s working right now and we graduated from the same college in the same year.  

Here’s a basic thing: making your own electronic sewing kit. You can make a singing shirt, finger puppets that blush, or a bag that blinks on your command. No previous electronics experience required. It’s probably the only good use for puffy paint, honestly.  Don’t know an LED from your CFC?  She explains it.  Circuits?  Ms. Buechely has your back. I’m feeling like a slacker here.

There’s even a microprocessor available, if you want to get very fancy! LilyPad Arduino is open source, soft to the touch, and there’s a full tutorial. 

I’ve always had a soft spot for interactive performance, and here’s her take on that.

It’s not as easy to see the benefits of her works as, say, someone doing cancer research, but by using simple tools and advanced materials she is helping to open up the potential creativity of all kinds of people–artists, crafters, medical professionals, sociologists, event planners, media, you name it. This has the potential to create a new hybrid medium, and there are few things as powerful as a new/revised means of expression.

Bonus:  Sock it to ‘em, Ada! (scroll to the bottom)