Saul Griffith likes to create things — pretty cool things. He invented low-cost eyeglass lenses that can mold into various shapes within 10 minutes to correct people’s vision. It’s one project from Squid Labs, a company he started dedicated to engineering design and technology innovation. His labs have also created a smart rope that can save the lives of firefighters and rock climbers. A spinoff company called Monkeylectric sells colorful lights for bike wheels. He also coauthors a comic called Howtoons that shows kids how to build things themselves. Griffith was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” to help keep his innovations going. His degrees in materials science and mechanical engineering helped him figure out how to make his ideas a reality.

Photo by Katy Raddatz

Watch this fun video on revolutionary bicycle lighting:

Filed under: Materials, Mechanical, Trailblazers

Tags: Materials, Mechanical, Technology