Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak


Inspired to Create Magic

May 20, 2016

What if you could touch a poster, and have it play music?  Or touch just about anything else, and hear all kinds of sounds?
That's Dr. Kate Stone's vision--and now, she's created the technology to make it a reality.

While Dr. Stone is technically a physicist, she's also an explorer and designer.  But anyone seeing her creations might also consider her a magician.
Dr. Stone has created the world's first "playable" posters--and other paper items.   Using electronics, she's designed interactive paper!

On this particular picture, each flower plays a different note, on a different instrument.
Through her UK-based company, Novalia, she also offers a way in which anyone can "hack" an inanimate object, so it can play back audio.   (Here is a link to the DIY kits she's created.)

During NASA's 2016 International Space Apps Challenge, Dr. Stone was on hand at Space Apps Pasadena.  Besides giving a presentation incorporating her new technology, she demonstrated it for attendees.
Dr. Stone talked about her innovative technology, some of the ways it can be used to "hack" objects (and support a talented musician!), and her experiences creating the magic.

On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:


The materials she used to make commoditized electronics accessible to the general public;


How and why she first created her innovation;


Dr. Stone's explanation of the technology behind the magic;


How her work has made electronics "as simple as sticking a stamp on an envelope";


How Dr, Stone used her innovation to "hack" a box of chocolates--and an exciting result!


Dr. Stone's social media information, for updates on her NEXT innovations;


How her new technology can work in a DIY experience;


And, what happens when she touches her hat!


Her goals for the future with her interactive software tools and processes.