within the science and art realms as STEAM topics become more
On camera, it looks like an amazing feat of choreography, but it
prominent and relevant to education.
turned out to be done with the help of a secret invention that he
patented...a special shoe-floor locking system that he continued to
While I'm not a practicing artist or scientist, I have worked
use on tour.
passionately to share the stories of these highly creative individuals
because their stories never cease to inspire me.
Then there’s Samuel Morse, known to most as the inventor of the
Telegraph. But decades earlier he was a modestly successful painter
Here are a few, starting with the King of Pop...and Patents.
with big goals. As Morse said, “My ambition is to be among those
who shall revive the splendor of the fifteenth century; to rival the
genius of a Raphael, a Michelangelo or a Titian; my ambition is to be
enlisted in the constellation of genius now rising in this country; I
wish to shine, not by a light borrowed from them, but to strive to
shine the brightest.”
However, after his art didn’t receive the critical attention he thought
he deserved, he did something easier...he invented the telegraph.
http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/morning-gif-michael-
Last, we have American artist Chris Burden, the son of an engineer
jackson-shoe/
and biologist, who began his career as a performance artist. Later
he became fascinated by the built environment. In some of his
Michael Jackson was always a bit of a polymath. From his early days
current work, he creates immaculate, structurally sound bridge
in the Jackson Five, his mastery of the arts was already present.
models out of erector set parts. As he puts it, “I consider myself, an
Throughout his career, he was a prolific singer, songwriter, dancer,
amateur engineer and architect who uses those disciplines as
and actor, and one of the most celebrated entertainers in the world.
materials for my art.”
However even with all that fame, few of his fans knew that he was
also an inventor. Watch the “Smooth Criminal” video sometime and
I believe that stories like these can help us as we provide
see how he and his dancers lean way too far forward than gravity
encouragement to students who feel like they must choose a single
should allow.
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