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- Currently employed as a special education teacher in the Georgia public school system.
- M.A. in History, State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego, May 2011.
- B.A. in Secondary Education, State University of New York at (SUNY) Potsdam, May 2000.
- Certificate in Web Design, Emory University, Summer 2011.
A Historian Looks to the Future
The Past
Johannes Gutenberg had the good fortune of living in one of the most beautiful wine regions in all of Europe, Germany's Rhine Valley. These vineyards offered more than just a cup of fine Riesling, they housed the inspiration for a technological breakthrough that would change the course of human history. It was the wine press, utilized by the wineries, which Gutenberg used as a model for his printing press.
The impact of Gutenberg's printing press and his first printed works are well-known. The power of the written word would grow exponentially with each new reader. Now reading was not just a magical art of a few elite members of a society; literacy for the first time in history was a life skill.
The Present
We study Gutenberg's work in our own quest for modern innovation as history is always the starting point of learning a new skill. Gutenberg's daily routine in 1440 is little different from the daily routine of modern inventors, programmers, and tinkerers. Trial and error. Keen observation. Learning through analogies. These still drive a company's success.
It was not the technology of the printing press per se that transformed history; it was the content that the technology could effectively convey. Technology in and of itself is just a gadget, a toy for human amusement. Technology with the right content, intent, and utilization is the foundation of human progress.
The Future
I am fascinated with history; I enjoy learning about everything from esoteric historical facts and anecdotes to well-known kingdoms, empires, and wars. I see my interest in new technology as a function of my love of history. I am inspired by how this digital age can model the empowering effects of Gutenberg's press.
The simple goal of the written word, to spread ideas, is as important as ever. We can use technology to generate and employ ideas regarding more efficient use of our natural and human resources. I want to work for a company who has the historical vision to construct solutions for the future.