The Technology Entertainment Design (TED) Conference for 2004 was held a few weeks ago. What a remarkable event. If you are able to attend TED, then consider yourself fortunate. At $4,000, it’s by invitation only.
Started in 1984 by author and design impresario Richard Saul Wurman, TED brings together more than 800 thought-leaders, movers and shakers in Monterey, CA every February for 4 days in order to hear the latest ideas in technology, entertainment, design, business, science and the arts.
TED is not gadget-oriented, but rather idea-rich. Nevertheless, previous TED conferences have introduced the world to important gadgets, such as:
- the Macintosh computer
- the compact disc from Sony
- iRobot’s Roomba robotic floorvac
The gadget-related highlight of TED 2004 was an exhibit of, and an updated status for the Paul Moller Flying Car. Under development for 20+ years, with $100M having been spent to-date, the vehicle is expected to retail for $75,000 and carry 2-4 people depending on the model. Skycar engines are produced by Rotamax in Minnesota, and tethered test flights are taking place in the city of Dixon, CA. The M400 model has 4 engines, a top speed of 380 mph, a range of 900 miles and a ceiling of 29,000 ft. The M400 is controlled by 24 microprocessors with about 25,000 lines of machine language code. This is an original concept and a unique gadget. More on the technology, status, economics, feasibilty and competition for the flying car at a later date.
At TED, you can almost feel the future gadgets struggling to be born: Development of new communications devices based on quantum pseudo-telepathy or a high-density memory chip modeled on the DNA of amoeba dubia, which is 200 times as dense as that of humans, or use of the anti-Higgs-boson to erase the inertial mass of transported goods.
Or, as a TEDster, you can forget about gadgets, and instead talk to certified genius Eva Harris, or discuss the economics of urban gangs with Steven Levitt.
Missed TED 2004? Then consider attending the GEL (Good Experience Live) Conference on Friday, April 30, 2004 in NYC.
Related posts:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
im interest with sky car. but i never see the real body of sky car. how long to product 1 skycar
testcomment231
I didn’t realize that TED introduced the world to the Macintosh computer. It seems like a long time ago that a new Apple product was introduced at a trade conference and not an official Apple event.