Wearable Computing

Origins

In 1994, I had a serendipitous encounter with Thad Starner and his wearable computer (named "Lizzy") in a coffee shop. This meeting would prove to be pivotal in my career trajectory. A few months later, after showing Thad the wearable computer I had independently built, he invited me to join him and the other members of the "Borg" as a graduate student at the MIT Media Lab.

Historical Context

The MIT "Borgs" were a pioneering group in wearable computing, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with personal, always-on computing devices in the mid-1990s. This work laid important foundations for many of the wearable technologies we take for granted today, from smartwatches to augmented reality glasses.

Impact

This early work in wearable computing helped establish many of the fundamental principles and challenges in the field:

• Integration of computing into daily life

• Always-on, always-available computing

• Human-computer interaction in mobile contexts

• Power and heat management

• Social implications of wearable technology

The experience and insights gained during this period influenced many of my later projects in e-textiles and wearable technology.